Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon

Movie review by Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Slasher film spoof has some clever twists.

R 2007 92 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 11+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film 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").

Community Reviews

Jk12345
Jk12345 Adult
June 14, 2017
age 14+
Well, its not really bad compared to other slashers suggested rating R for strong horror violence, and some sexuality mainly should be able to watch 14+ if child can handle.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
October 17, 2013
age 15+

Not for me...

This movie wasn't how I thought it would be. I was expecting a fun, scary slasher flick but half of the film featured talking mainly and not much action until around the end, which I didn't care for either. The acting was bad. It sort of felt like a stage play the whole way through and definitely not scary one bit! The only likable character was the female reporter, Taylor. If you're looking for something fun and worth watching, skip on this one. It's quite boring. Language was strong like any R-rated film with plenty of f-words and more. Violence has weapons used, stabbings and shootings mainly in flashbacks. A serial killer likes to terrorize girls for fun. Lots of discussions about violent acts. Sexual content has a teen girl on top when people walk in on them, some sex talk throughout. Some drinking and drug use. This is not suitable for kids or teens under 16!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 4 parent reviews

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?

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. 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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Poltergeist Poster Image

    Poltergeist

    One of the all-time great haunted house movies.

    age 13+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate