A Love Story in Horror

Psycho (1960), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), Halloween (1978), Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th (1980), Fade to Black (1980), The Shining (1980), Scanners (1981), The Thing (1982), Children of the Corn (1984), Day of the Dead (1985), Re-animator (1985) - these are only a tiny sample of classic films which propelled the horror genre forward that now have a cult-like following.

The horror genre challenged popular practice in film-making, tread new ground with practical effects,musical scores and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable by conservative audiences.

Mike Meyers stalking the quiet suburban streets to John Carpenter’s nuanced, atmospheric score, Jason Voorhees and his mother terrorising and slashing their way through the youth, Freddy Krueger haunting to suburban youth and leaving a gory trail behind . . . these characters have left lasting imprints on the horror genre.

If you are a fan of the horror movie classics, the neighborhood stalkers, the school camp slashers, the ‘final girl’ trope, then I have the perfect movie for you. Some die-hard horror fans detest the horror films of the 21st century but I promise you that there are still talented directors, practical effects artists, film crews and actors whose passion for the original-gangster horror films matches yours.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) pays homage to the iconic movies in the boom of the 80s, following a documentary crew working with an aspiring serial killer, Leslie Vernon, who reveres figures such as Mike Meyers who, in this world, were real killers instead of the fictional characters we know them as. The film crew documents Leslie’s plot to break into the serial killer hall-of-fame as he scopes out his victims, booby-traps his murder scene (the familiar cabin) and anticipates every single move from his adversaries.

Behind the Mask is a witty take on the horror genre, exploring the well-known horror tropes and themes which Leslie, a passionate fan, has studied so vigorously. He is a professional in his own right and even though he is the antagonist, you as a viewer can’t help but revere him like he reveres the killers of the 80s. He is calculated, unstable, cheery, and passionate. He is a villain you can almost rally behind! Just like the documentary crew following him, you have a morbid fascination for Leslie and his genius in his plot, but watching it all unfold as he dons his killer mask you can see him as the true monster he is.

Behind the Mask absolutely does the horror classics justice as it gives an insight into the act of murder from the likable killer’s perspective with just the right dose of deadpan humor. In particular, the film really explores the relationship between the killer and their victim, the ‘final girl’ that they predate. Behind the Mask, while a horror, is one of the greatest romance movies you will ever see. The care, passion, pure love and appreciation Leslie has for his victim is more genuine than the love you will see in any romantic comedy. Leslie believes he is doing this FOR his victim, not only himself. In the face of great adversity or danger people discover themselves and their own strength that they were not aware of previously.

This is the story of a man challenging his victim to find strength, grow, and face him and all his conniving and bloody horror.

This is a story you NEED to see.

Leslie Vernon deserves the fan-base of Mike Meyer and Jason Voorhees, just as you deserve to have your love for 80's horror realised in the 21st century.