by: jordanstoner
Posted on 09.10.09 in All Horror Films > Screenshots
Release Date: 2006

Schmock•u•men•ta•ry – noun

1. Movies, Television. a tongue-and-cheek documentary film, radio or television program, etc. that combines the elements of a mockumentary and a shockumentary into a campy package full of dark humor and faux-slasher biographic narrative.

I found this film so tastefully unique that I had to coin a new definition of its genre. Behind the Mask is Spinal Tap meets Friday the 13th in a hilarious account of the curriculum vitae of one Leslie Vernon (Nathan Baesel), an up-and-coming serial slasher seeking to establish his stylistic legacy of murder by employing innocent journalist Taylor Gentry (Angela Goethals) and her two crewmen Doug (Ben Pace) and Todd (Britain Spellings) to document his auspicious return to Glen Echo. As any successful slasher can tell you, body count is second only to the myth behind the man; and the legend of Leslie Vernon is ripe for his second-coming in the rustic town of his childhood.

When the crew finally meet Leslie, however, they are not quite prepared for the likes of this would-be walking slaughterhouse – the guy is downright likable. He’s versed in clinical psychology, armed with a razor wit, and carries an infectious smile. He’s every mother’s dream, and every father’s worst nightmare. He wields a boyish charisma that would be welcome company at 3:00 am when you’ve reached the last of the blow.

Until he puts on the mask.

We watch with Taylor and her cameramen as Leslie exposes the life of a mass murderer with gleeful charm: from selecting his principal victim, or “survivor-girl” (Kate Lang Johnson) to a play-by-play of how and where each of her entourage will meet their demise. We are introduced to his mentor, Eugene (Scott Wilson), and his nemesis, or “Ahab,” Doc Halloran (Robert Englund). And as the final pieces of his story unfold through the handheld cameras, we gain sympathy for his quest – a not-so-subtle commentary on the media a la Rémy Belvaux’s Man Bites Dog.

Soon, however, the interview must end. In a fantastic plot twist, all the elements of this film are pulled together quite nicely (if somewhat predictably). All-in-all, I recommend this film for its departure from the norm, a refreshing and devilishly funny spin on a genre that could stand a bit of introspection.

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* Acting – 4
* Blood – 2
* Violence – 2
* Partying – 2
* Language – 2
* Humor – 4
* Predictability – 2
* Girls – 3
* Gore – 1
* Sexuality – 2
* Torture – 1
* Overall – 2

• ★★★★★

  Acting:

• ★★★★★

  Blood:

• ★★★★★

  Violence:

• ★★★★★

  Partying:

• ★★★★★

  Language:

• ★★★★★

  Humor:

• ★★★★★

  Predictable:

• ★★★★★

  Girls:

• ★★★★★

  Gore:

• ★★★★★

  Sexuality:

• ★★★★★

  Torture:

• ★★★★★

  Overall: