Okay get ready for a Dennis Quaid you have likely never seen before. Forget the feel-good dad roles in movies like "The Parent Trap". This time Quaid is diving deep into the darkness playing a real-life serial killer in a new series called " Happy Face " coming to Paramount+. Yep you heard that right. Dennis Quaid serial killer. Let's unpack this.
'Happy Face' Series: True Crime Inspired Drama Blurs Reality and Fiction
"Happy Face" is not just any crime show it is based on the chilling true story of Keith Hunter Jesperson also known as the "Happy Face Killer". Jesperson confessed to murdering at least eight women in the 90s and became infamous for leaving smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and authorities bragging about his crimes. Spooky right?
The series draws inspiration from Melissa Moore Jesperson's real-life daughter and her journey grappling with the horrific truth about her father. Melissa wrote a memoir and created a podcast both titled "Happy Face" detailing her experiences and this new Paramount+ series borrows from those works. However it also takes a turn into fiction creating a hybrid drama that is part true crime part procedural.
In "Happy Face" Annaleigh Ashford plays Melissa. The story kicks off when Melissa's family starts receiving unsettling messages from her incarcerated father Keith played by Quaid. He hints at a possible ninth victim an unsolved case where an innocent man is on death row. Melissa gets pulled into her father's twisted game reluctantly investigating his claims while trying to protect her own family and sanity.
Dennis Quaid on Playing a Serial Killer: 'It Was Very Easy' - Seriously?
Dennis Quaid himself described playing Keith Hunter Jesperson as surprisingly "very easy". Wait what? He explained to the New York Post that serial killers are "very easy to play because they really kind of don’t have any emotion. They have to be a little bit removed." Quaid who is known for his often warm and engaging on-screen presence seems to have embraced this chillingly detached persona for the role of Jesperson.
He emphasizes that the series is not just about sensationalizing the killer but exploring the complex relationship between Keith and Melissa. Quaid points out the twisted "parent trap" dynamic where Melissa had a loving childhood with her father only to discover his horrifying secret later. This father-daughter dynamic is apparently at the heart of what drew Quaid to the project.
The Real 'Happy Face Killer' Keith Hunter Jesperson: A Chilling Look at the True Story
To understand the show's premise it is crucial to know about the real Keith Hunter Jesperson. He is a Canadian-American serial killer who terrorized the West Coast of the United States in the early 1990s. He confessed to killing at least eight women but claimed potentially many more. His murders were brutal and he gained notoriety for sending taunting letters signed with smiley faces to authorities and media outlets.
Jesperson was a long-haul truck driver which allowed him to travel extensively and commit murders across multiple states. He preyed on vulnerable women many of whom were sex workers or drifters. His crimes were marked by extreme violence and a disturbing lack of remorse. He is currently serving multiple life sentences in Oregon State Penitentiary.
What makes Jesperson particularly unsettling is the contrast between his outwardly "average" persona and his monstrous acts. One journalist who interviewed Jesperson in jail described him as "chillingly average" and even "likeable" if you didn't know his crimes. This ordinariness masking pure evil adds another layer of horror to the "Happy Face Killer" story.
Is 'Happy Face' Exploitative or Insightful? Critics Offer Mixed Reactions
Early review s for "Happy Face" are somewhat divided. Some critics are praising Annaleigh Ashford's performance as Melissa Moore highlighting her portrayal of trauma and emotional complexity. Dennis Quaid's chilling portrayal of Jesperson is also getting notice for its subtle creepiness.
However other reviews are more critical. Some argue that the series despite its claims of being victim-focused still leans into true crime tropes and sensationalism. There are concerns about whether "Happy Face" truly offers any new insights into the impact of serial killers on families or if it ultimately exploits real pain for entertainment value. One review even questions if the show inadvertently "valorizes" Keith Jesperson despite its intentions.
The show's blend of fact and fiction is also a point of contention. While drawing from Melissa Moore's life story "Happy Face" adds fictionalized procedural elements that some find "generic" and detracting from the emotional core of the real story. Ultimately viewers will have to decide for themselves if "Happy Face" manages to be both gripping and responsibly handled or if it falls into the traps it attempts to critique.
Key Facts About 'Happy Face' Series:
- Starring: Dennis Quaid Annaleigh Ashford James Wolk David Harewood Tamera Tomakili
- Based on: The true story of Melissa Moore daughter of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson
- Inspiration: Melissa Moore's memoir "Shattered Silence" and podcast "Happy Face"
- Premieres: March 20 2025
- Streaming Platform: Paramount+
- Genre: True Crime Drama Procedural Thriller
- Focus: Explores the impact of a serial killer's crimes on his daughter and family.