Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a 2006 horror comedy film that takes the audience behind the scenes of a classic horror film and explores the elements and tropes that go into making one. The film follows Leslie Vernon (played by Nathan Baesel), a charming and charismatic young man who aspires to become the next great psycho slasher villain. Leslie invites a documentary crew to follow him as he prepares for his killing spree in the small town of Glen Echo.
As the crew follows Leslie, they learn about the meticulous planning and preparation that goes into creating a horror icon. They also witness Leslie's interactions with the various horror movie archetypes, including the final girl, the sheriff, and the mentor figure. Leslie even goes so far as to recruit his own version of a "final girl," a young woman named Taylor (played by Angela Goethals), whom he plans to stalk and kill.
The film blends elements of horror, comedy, and mockumentary, creating a unique and entertaining look into the horror genre. It also features appearances by iconic horror actors such as Robert Englund, who plays Leslie's mentor.
The film ultimately subverts audience expectations and reveals Leslie's true motives, challenging the traditional roles and conventions of the horror genre. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a clever and inventive take on the slasher genre, both celebrating and deconstructing the elements that make it so popular.