i'm not a big fan of video in film or documentary-style filming, but this is a pretty hilarious deconstruction of slashers. the jabs at psychoanalytic film criticism were spot on and hilarious if you've ever read the types of papers that actually think the closet in Halloween is symbolic of the womb. the third act is a little weak since it's so telegraphed and so (intentionally) cliche, but the film is definitely a must-see for slasher fans.

This is a bit late to the self-aware horror game, but I enjoyed it anyway. For the first half I was convinced that it was going to be a full-fledged horror-comedy, but things get darker toward the end. Although I expected it to play out as it did, the tone change was handled very well. This is a movie with lots of rewatchability.

A very fun movie that deconstructs slasher films. As that's the case, your enjoyment may be dependent on how familiar you are with the genre and its conceits. The cast does well all around, though special props go to Nathan Baesel for managing to be both an oddly genial goofball and very sinister- often in the same scene. The conceit of the movie- existence in a world where Freddy, Michael, and Jason are real- is clever, and the nods to their franchises are fun to search for. A great movie.

This film takes the post-modern horror comedy of Scream and makes it funnier AND more horrific. A slasher film from the POV of the slasher may not be unique, but how about if that POV is expressed on camera to a documentary crew? Some excellent nods to the classics (and the less than classic) of the genre.

71.750

Fantastic. Funny and (because of the setup) uniquely terrifying. I can't believe this is the lead's first-ever acting gig.

Incredibly fun and clever, especially to those who enjoy the slasher genre. It is a crime that the lead actor has not seen more success.

Playing on the line of mockumentary, this is a clever discourse of teen-slashers which I have little interest in. Reverse engineering main absurdities of slashers is nicely done, but psychological confessions of Leslie sometimes get out of the limit; "closet represents the womb".

Didn't really watch it, but I could tell from the opening 10 minutes that it just wasn't gonna be for me. Definitely will be a hit or miss movie for people

Strange

Good movie. Ending was a little weak, but it does everything else very well. Great casting for the librarian.

Fun and clever.

Taking its page from Man Bites Dog, this attempts to deconstruct the slasher film by following the serial killer himself. In attempting to bring together all the clichés of the sub-genre into a realistic world, the film undermines itself because they can be exceptionally silly out of their normal context. A far better film would have embraced the artificiality, but this, despite one or two interesting moments, really doesn't exceed and pales in comparison to the Belgium predecessor.

Bad movie, great disappointment. It fails as a satire, and as a horror movie it fails. Because of the horrible actings and complete lack of sense, could only be considered just a comedy. But this deconstruction of slasher movies that too was not so original or funny.

found it rather dull tbh

"For all of its lame distastefulness, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a sadly appropriate reflection of its time." - Rob Humanick

A really fun little indy movie that unfortunately has a throughly unsatisfying ending. Nathan Baesel is great in the lead role, coming across so charming and funny it's hard not to like him. The way the movie plays with the genres cliches is a lot of fun, but unfortunately that all flys out the window in the last 20 minutes when the movie becomes a generic slasher lfick with no satire in sight.

it was a cool idea, kind of like a both cabin in the woods and man bites dog, how it deconstructs what makes a horror movie and both mocks and becomes one at the same time. pretty well done

"A rather funny "Scream"-like cross between a mockumentary and a direct-to-video slasher movie."

DECONSTRUCTING SLASHERS: THE MOVIE. YOU WILL ENJOY THIS. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE ANOTHER SLASHER EVER AGAIN. READ THAT AGAIN. LET IT SINK IN. YOU WILL LAUGH. YOU WILL FEEL TERRIBLE. YOU WILL LAUGH AND ENJOY FEELING TERRIBLE. YOU WILL WITNESS A SUBVERTING OF TROPES SO BASE AND VILE THAT THEY WILL RISE TO GLORY AND GIVE BIRTH TO ART. SANGUINE MOVIE GODS WILL CRUMBLE AND BE REBUILT IN AN ORCHESTRA OF ARTISTIC MERIT. A GRANDIOSE FUNERAL AWAITS. AND YOU ARE ATTENDING. BRING YOUR FRIENDS. 85

Very Nice

A bit gimmicky and I wasn't terribly impressed with the actor they chose to be Leslie Vernon. It plays with horror conventions and expectations rather well and works as both satire and an homage however it still felt pretty flat most of the time.

Wow. I haven't been this impressed by an actor in years. N. Baesel delivers in the movie as a comical and horrifying killer. One second I was laughing and the next shocked by the speed at which he turned and became a monster. There is nothing better than a lovable villain in a movie and Vernon is the new standard. Early on you get a comical view of a slasher movie from the point of view from the slasher. But then as the film progresses it turns scary and ends with a great twist. Watch this movie

Everything in this movie felt forced. The lead actor annoyed me because it's like he was told "be likable", and he tried his damnedest. The best part was when the movie was setting up the murders, but if I had never seen a slasher movie it wouldn't have been nearly as funny. The last third is just bad. I was watching because of the slasher deconstruction, I had no interest in actually watching a shitty slasher. Also, if you don't see the twist a mile away then you weren't paying attention.

An awesome slasher deconstruction film, and the best in a solid decade, in the form of a mockumentry following a would-be slasher villain. There's numerous nods and the way he goes about setting up his kills is great and plays on the entire slasher genre. This is definitely a movie for the fans of Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm St and Halloween. The switch from mockumentary to slasher at the end is cool too, since the film had been teasing us the whole way. Awesome horror flick.

Overall Enjoyment: 30/40, Plot/Themes: 20/20, Cinematography/Direction: 10/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20 Very clever, original, and hilarious movie if you are a fan of the horror movie genre. I don't want to ruin any of the plot, but it was well done and enjoyable the entire time. It's also relatively short which makes it very re-watchable.

A great deconstruction of the slasher film. Very clever structure. Nathan Baesel deserves to become a star.

In dissecting the slasher genre, they breath new life into both the slasher and the documentary method of telling a story. Leslie Vernon is immediately affable, I rooted for him right until I realized he was watching me watch the movie and he knew my every move.

Horror movies never work for me because what is considered scary holds no terrors for me. This movie, by virtue of its humor and satirical intent, is satisfying and good.

The best thing to happen to the horror/slasher genre in years.

A pretty cool twist on the slasher genre, even though it becomes a slasher itself.

See this movie if you haven't. It will make you realize that all the hype they gave to Kevin Williamson for deconstructing the horror genre with the dialogue in Scream is undeserved...because this is what should have been done. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

Switching from nerdy and fun analysis of the Slasher horror genre to some of the most spine-chilling horror of the year, Behind the Mask: tRoLV is a roaring hit which haven't gotten nearly as much attention as it does deserve, especially considering the cameo by the man who learned us to fear our dreams, Robert Englund. Leslie Vernon is the slasher above all, and he is portrayed most chillingly while still keeping some sympathic sides. Much more to be said, but alas, 500 leters.

See Man Bites Dog instead. It's decent for what it is, and probably more than decent if you're a fan of the slasher genre (I'm not).

Surprisingly entertaining.

Well made, clever, only soft spot is some of the acting.

The first two thirds or so are amazing, there are no words for how much I loved it. Then they drop the mockumentary angle and the whole thing goes to hell. And no, "it's for the satire!" is not an excuse. You do not satirize crappy half-assed slasher endings by making one yourself. The hamfisted climax severely cuts down the rating because I am so sick of hamfisted climaxes ruining perfectly good set-ups.