Korean American Christian Media

Behind the Mask : The Rise of Leslie Vernon

Friday the 13th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Rosemary’s Baby, Nightmare on Elm Street Series, Saw, The Omen, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and etc are just some of flicks that define the Horror genre. In recent years however, many lackluster flicks have tainted the caliber of the genre. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a refreshing look into the world of slasher film, particularly because of its convention-breaking points and the moral stand it takes.
The film is shot in a documentary style, of a crew telling a story of a serial killer, Leslie Vernon. In this film, the horror of Elm Street and Camp Crystal Lake is actuality. Taylor, the interviewer of the crew tracks down Leslie and joins him in his journey to become the ranks of other slasher legends. Leslie turns out to be a normal man named Leslie Mancuso who believes and relies on conventional tactics (scaring the victims in a pattern, doing cardio and weights to stay in good shape, using fire-repellent on his body to avoid being burnt, picking the virginal survivor girl, etc). As Leslie’s plan goes full-force, Taylor’s conscious takes the better of her and she tries to save the survivor girl of the horror that is about to unfold.

For fans of the genre, the film boasts Robert Englund as Leslie’s arch-nemesis. For those who aren’t so fond of the genre, the film is really an interesting journey into the psyche of those serial killers we’ve seen on film. Leslie takes his “calling” to become a killer. Even though the suspended logic may be difficult to comprehend at first, the direction of the film does a fine job explaining and letting the audience believe why he becomes so. The soundtrack also works effectively, which is a reminiscent of the famed Friday the 13th Series. However, the real gem of the film is the rise of Taylor, as the savior of the film. Even in times of danger, she chooses to do the right thing. Even though it may be a far stretch on my part, but as Taylor becomes the saving grace for the people, she is a reminiscent of Jesus, as she stands up to the tyrant horror of Leslie Vernon. As she becomes victorious, the audience can cheer and rejoice but as other good horror films go, there is a room of a sequel (hinted at during the credits for the film)
So there you have it, finally, a decent horror movie with some things to think about. But as Freddy would put it, sleep tight and dream on children.

MPAA Rating: R rated for violence, gore, nudity, and language. Running Time: 92 minutes.

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