Watch Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a 2006 mockumentary horror film directed by Scott Glosserman. The movie follows a documentary film crew as they capture the preparations of Leslie Vernon, a young man who aspires to become a supernatural serial killer as he meticulously plans his first murder spree. Starring Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, and Zelda Rubinstein, the film is presented in a found footage format, mimicking the style of classic documentaries such as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

At the beginning of the film, Leslie meets up with the documentary filmmakers to present his background and explain his ambition to become a legendary serial killer. The filmmakers soon realize that Leslie is a unique individual who follows strict rules and procedures to execute his perfect killing spree. The film follows Leslie as he meticulously plans his ultimate killing spree that will impress the legend of his predecessors. Leslie's attention to detail and intelligence are shown as he reveals secrets about his network of supporters and how he hides his true identity from police authorities and his next victims.

While Leslie prepares for his killing spree, the film crew also interviews Leslie's past victims, who have since retired from their jobs to start new lives. They reveal the brutal attacks they had suffered at Leslie's hands, and the pain and trauma that followed. With their help, and the mentorship of a retired survivor, the crew discovers the horrifying truth behind Leslie's carefully planned story, and his true motive to become a killer - a revenge plot.

As Leslie prepares for his ultimate killing spree, the documentary team follows and even assists him, hoping to capture the perfect moment in history. The film leads up to a climactic scene, where Leslie faces his final confrontation with his arch-nemesis, leading to a shocking twist in the story that challenges the very fabric of the horror movie genre.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a clever and self-aware parody of the slasher film genre which has been often described as a mix between mockumentaries like This is Spinal Tap and the classic horror genre. Directed with an authentic found footage-style, the film uses its documentary style to subvert the audience's expectations through its examination of cliches in the horror genre. An intelligent plot, combined with subtle humor and thrilling suspense, makes the film a memorable and unique horror movie that rewards fans of the genre.

Performances in the movie are top-notch, with Nathan Baesel giving a standout performance as the main character, Leslie Vernon. His charisma and intelligence make him a fascinating, albeit terrifying, villain who the audience can't help but be both intrigued and repulsed with. Angela Goethals and Zelda Rubinstein also give noteworthy performances as the documentary filmmakers who serve as narrators for the movie.

The movie's themes revolve around what makes a great horror movie, with the filmmakers capturing Leslie as he puts together a narrative based on the classic horror movie tropes. There is also an interesting exploration of the psychology of a serial killer, with Leslie discussing why he feels compelled to embody the role. These themes, coupled with its unique structure, create a horror movie that is unlike anything else that has been released in recent years.

In conclusion, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a one-of-a-kind horror movie that cleverly takes a meta-narrative approach to explore the slasher horror genre tropes. The film's direction, performances, and intelligent approach to horror make it a worthwhile viewing choice for both horror fans and general audiences. If you are looking for a film that will surprise and entertain you, then Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is not to be missed.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a 2006 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 66.