Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

  • Review Date: July 2, 2007
  • R
  • Genre: Horror
  • 2007
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Slasher film spoof has some clever twists.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that older teens may be interested in this slasher film spoof, which isn't as goofy and action-packed as the Scream franchise but plays up the same idea. It includes the usual slasher-style violence -- stalking, stabbing, shooting, hooking with large farm implements -- as well as brief nudity and sexual activity (since sexually active teens are standard victims in such movies). There are lots of conversations about methods of killing people and the uses of "fear" in culture, some basic spooky scenes (dark shadows, creaky doors), and some jump scenes. Many bloody effects (dismemberments, bodies hidden in closets) and frequent profanity (mostly "f--k").

  • College TV crew follows a serial-killer-to-be in order to get a story; serial killers discuss their methods and goals; teen victims act stupidly; the Survivor Girl does the right thing.
  • Lots of bloody, visceral violence in the last third of the film (before that, plenty of discussions of and preparations for said violence). Weapons include knives, guns, and farm tools. Retired serial killer appears briefly in a sensory deprivation tank (like a coffin) buried underground. Serial killer wears scary makeup and mask and well as torn, bloody clothing, then appears repeatedly in shadows, posed to look frightening. Hacking and stabbing at victims (most of the murders are fast but very close-up). Girls scream, run, and fall.
  • Conversations about sexual behavior (trying to figure out if victims are virgins); a brief sex scene at the end shows a naked girl from the back and as she turns around (breasts visible and in motion); brief mention of the serial killer being "pro-life and a chauvinist."
  • Favorite swear word here is "f--k" other profanity includes "s--t," "bitch," "ass," "hell," and "goddammit." Phrases include a derogatory charge: "You guys stand here holding your balls."
  • Not applicable.
  • Teens drink and smoke marijuana.

What's the story?

In Scott Glosserman's slasher parody BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON, Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel) explains himself to a college TV news crew, including intrepid reporter Taylor (Angela Goethals), who keep asking questions about why Leslie and the monsters he emulates -- Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th), and Michael Myers (Halloween) -- feel the need to target nubile teens who scream and run and fall down in the dark.


Is it any good?

 

According to Behind the Mask, Leslie's desire to kill anonymous teens could be a sign of psychosis or a symptom of the culture that offers up imagery as entertainment. Wanting to be famous like his idols, Leslie manipulates the TV crew for maximum effect, understanding the interlocking of violence and media, spectacle and spectators. Clearly, Behind the Masks's shrewd parody is geared for viewers familiar with TV forensics lessons, Nancy Grace, and torture as (unacknowledged) wartime policy.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the uses of parody. Does making fun of fears serve a different or similar purpose to acting them out straightforwardly, as in regular horror movies? How can you be scared and laugh at something at the same time? Families can also discuss the basic dynamics of the slasher movie formula. How do the predetermined character types -- the Survivor Girl, the Ahab, the Killer -- come together to make the scary formula work? Is this movie a successful spoof? Why or why not?


This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
March 15, 2012
 
One of the best horror movies!
This movie is cool and action packed! Its SO awesome! Its a must see for any horror movie fan!

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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Studio:Anchor Bay Entertainment
Director:Scott Glosserman
Cast:Angela Goethals, Nathan Baesel, Zelda Rubinstein
Genre:Horror
Run time:92 minutes
Theatrical release date:March 16, 2007
DVD release date:June 26, 2007
MPAA rating:R
MPAA explanation:horror violence, language, some sexual content and brief drug use.

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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