Glen Echo Entertainment, 2006

starring: Nathan Baesel, Angela Goethals, Robert Englund and Kate Lang Johnson
directed by: Scott Glosserman

the plot: Amateur documentary producer Taylor Gentry (Goethals) believes she’s scored the scoop of the decade when she meets Leslie Vernon (Baesel), a young aspiring serial-killer who aims to join the ranks of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers and other notable slashers. Taylor and her crew follow Leslie as he prepares for his debut killing spree, chronicling how he establishes his mythology, undergoes physical training for the big night and conditions his prey, a comely young girl named Kelly Curtis (Johnson). There’s even an enigmatic psychologist (Englund) lurking about who’s determined to stop Leslie before he starts killing. But complications arise, and Taylor and her camera crew quickly learn that Leslie is dead serious about being the next great serial killer. With the documentary almost complete, Taylor finds herself trapped in Leslie’s web, forcing her to use all she’s learned about Leslie to put an end to his murderous spree.

why it’s good: Part “Spinal Tap” and part “Scream,” “Behind the Mask” nearly succeeds as a light-hearted deconstruction of the slasher film. It starts out pretty well, with a ludicrous premise (what sort of serial killer wants to advertise, anyway?) bolstered by a charming, capable cast. As Leslie Vernon, Baesel is both likeable and creepy, his high-pitched laughs always lasting longer than they should, his face full of shifty glances and nervous tics. Vernon’s a credible killer, which makes the appearance of a bumbling documentary crew in his world all the more humorous. There are some obvious jokes about slasher movie clichés, but director Scott Glosserman comes up with a few inspired bits—Leslie’s visit with his mentor, Eugene (a “retired” slasher) yields some good jokes, and Leslie’s explanation of how he sets up his mythology, complete with doctored newspaper clippings, is a nice touch. But by the movie’s halfway point, “Behind the Mask” switches abruptly from meta-commentary to a straight-up slasher film, unflinchingly embracing all the tropes it previously spoofed. Horror movie icons Robert Englund (better known as Freddy in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series) and Zelda Rubenstein (the medium in the “Poltergeist” films) turn in some cute cameos as well. There are a few surprises, too: Kelly, the virginal “survivor girl,” turns out to be more worldly than Leslie Vernon expected, and the film’s climax does boast some genuine tension, but none of it can save “Behind the Mask” from turning into that which it mocks.

why you should own it: “Behind the Mask” is full of plenty of in-jokes for horror fans, who may be the only audience that will appreciate the film. But even hardcore slasher-philes may want to rent before they buy. Anchor Bay’s DVD is chock full of extras, including commentary from the cast, a making-of featurette and more.