Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon has got to be one of the best horror films produced so far this century. The idea alone is such a great concept I’m surprised that no one has thought of making a film like this before. For a film that’s considered to be an independent horror film; it’s a surprise that the film was made with such greatness. There is not one shot that looks like it doesn’t fit. Words cannot express how great this film is.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is about a guy named Leslie, who is exposing the secrets of the serial killer trade to a group of news reporters. The film takes place in the universe of Freddy Kruger, Jason and Michael Meyers. It’s hard to put in words, and may be hard to understand until you see the film. But basically what the movie is trying to express is that all these famous killers are just regular guys who are in the fear business. They are masters of not only killing people, but escaping situations, be able to take bullets and so on. Leslie Vernon in one scenes tells us that he wears fireproof gel mixed in with his make-up. Leslie is actually a new and upcoming killer in the fear business, he has a mentor who is a retired killer that teaches him the trade. Leslie is pretty much exposing the art to a group of news reporters who are doing a documentary on the the bizarre trade at hand. He shows them how he picks his targets, the person he’ll let survive, and how he plans out each kill and how and where it will happen. The movie plays out like more of a dark comedy and then gets more serious as the film moves on. But the overall concept of the film is one for the ages and the plot is one that will keep even the smallest of horror fans entertained.
I absolutely loved not only the story line but the script. The script was full of great dialogue and was very well written and organized. I practically liked the way the characters were written. Scott Glosserman and David J. Stieve really know their horror and what the fans want within a great horror film. There patience and research in their writing shows, and the way matter in which they perfected the script is what ultimately turned this film into a horror fan’s wet dream.
The acting and directing go hand in hand with in this film. Both are top notch and its shows that when filmmakers and actors work as a team that the results of the film will work out for the best. As is such with this film. Glosserman’s directing is top notch, It’s very rare that I can honestly say that the director is the sole purpose for a film being so great, however not only is Glosserman the reason for greatness in this film but his cast really showed their support for this project by their great performances.
Nathan Baesel is spectacular as Leslie Vernon, not only he great as a comedian but he is also believable as a killer as well. Angela Goethals is great as well in the role of the reporter Taylor Gentry. Angela is the backbone of this film and it’s her character that binds this film together, it was a smart chose by Glosserman and company to hand her the part as I don’t think this film would of been what it was without her and Nathan for that matter. The rest of the supporting cast is great, even the stereotypical teenagers in the film did a great job with their very stereotypical roles. The film also has some guest appearances by some of the genres more well known actors such as Robert Englund, Zelda Rubinstein and even Kane Hodder whom is shown as the current owner of a house on Elm Street.
The production value of this film is top notch. It’s no so much of the fact that the film basically takes place in normal locations such as homes and buildings, but the Vernon Apple Orchard looked sick, The art direction and visuals were creepy as hell, and it made the look and feel of the scenes that took place there that much more effective.
In terms of make-up effects and CGI the film really does not have much if any CGI at all, and the make-up effects are good, but the film does not put us over the top in terms of gore. Yes it has some blood and some decent effects involving dead bodies and such. But it’s not over the top full of gore. More or less, it’s done in a classy, more surreal matter.
Overall, My opening statement says it all. Behind the Mask is one of the best horror films to be made so far this century. The concept and idea are fresh and that’s what every hardcore horror fan is looking for, that one new original film that takes us to the next level of horror excitement. This film, even though it has a dark humorous twist to it does just that. It puts a “what if” spin on all of the horror characters we’ve grown to love over the past few decades. And in the midst of it all rises a new horror icon in Leslie Vernon.
– Horror Bob
- Interview with J.R. Bookwalter - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Andrew J. Rausch - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Rick Popko and Dan West - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Director Stevan Mena (Malevolence) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Screenwriter Jeffery Reddick (Day of the Dead 2007) - January 22, 2015
- Teleconference interview with Mick Garris (Masters of Horror) - January 22, 2015
- A Day at the Morgue with Corri English (Unrest) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Writer/Director Nacho Cerda (The Abandoned, Aftermath) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actress Thora Birch (Dark Corners, The Hole, American Beauty) - January 22, 2015
- Interview with Actor Jason Behr, Plus Skinwalkers Press Coverage - January 22, 2015
