10 Most Underrated Slasher Movie Villains

6. Leslie Vernon - Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon

Maniac movie
Anchor Bay Entertainment

Scott Glosserman's 2006 comedy-horror mockumentary follows a group of filmmakers as they document the life and crimes of aspiring serial killer Leslie Vernon. A slasher icon named 'Leslie?' It'll never work. And, in spite of the film garnering acclaim as a minor cult classic, the career of Leslie Vernon never did take off.

Which is a shame, as Behind the Mask is a great little slasher film, with a compelling villain in Leslie Vernon. The outwardly normal Leslie Mancuso (Nathan Baesel) turns his obsession with slasher movies into a horrifying hobby, masking up at night to stalk and slash terrified teens.

Self-referential without being too irritating about it - and featuring cameos from such horror royalty as Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger) - Behind the Mask is a tremendous little slasher movie. And, with the mask donned, Leslie Vernon is every bit as chilling as Freddy, Jason or Michael at their best.

Contributor
Contributor

A film critic and professional writer of over ten years, Joel Harley has a deep and abiding love of all things horror, Batman and Nicolas Cage. He can be found writing online and in print, all over the Internet and in especially good bookstores.