For slasher week, I wanted to do a movie that I have a personal soft spot for because it combines several of my favorite things: found-footage type documentaries, tributes to past horror films, and analysis of recurring themes in the horror genre. Bundle all these things up, and you get Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.
Inspired by the French horror film Man Bites Dog, Behind the Mask focuses on a group of journalism students who follow the antics of a new serial killer, Leslie Vernon. Set in a world where supernatural slashers Michael Myers, Freddy Kreuger, and Jason Voorhees all exist, Vernon wants to be the next big serial killer in order to, in his words, keep the fear alive. Along the way, we see several tributes to classic horror in both plotlines and actors, and the movie has a lightheartedness to it that complements its moments of gravity quite well.
Nathan Baesel, an actor who I am constantly amazed does not have more work, gives a terrific performance as the titular character. His Juliard education shows as he gives a surprisingly solid depiction of psychopathy: charisma without engagement, a facade that drops when things leave his control, expert manipulation. This is complemented by his co-star’s performance, Angela Goethals, another insanely underrated actress who acts as the lead journalist in this documentary. Her journey from curious student to a journalist who is legitimately absorbed into Vernon’s deranged lifestyle is an excellent ride, and she adapts to her changing role beautifully.
Behind the Mask, at its core, is a study of the horror genre and its themes. It’s focus on horror tropes and psychosexual elements is both engaging and hilarious, leaving audiences unsure of just how seriously the writers are taking themselves. And that is a good indication of the type of horror this movie falls under: Behind the Mask does a terrific job of blurring the lines between fear and familiarity that you never really feel comfortable with the material. The more charismatic killers you meet and the more deranged jokes you laugh at, the more you find yourself remembering, “Oh wait, no, these are the bad guys.” And anything that gives you a second’s pause to recognize the evil is definitely worth a watch.
