Paramount+’s shocking thriller,Happy Face, is an intense show that will instantly appeal to crime drama fans. WithHappy Face’s cast led by Dennis Quaidand Annaleigh Ashford, the series is a unique entry into the crime drama genre, as it focuses on the complex relationship between a serial killer and his daughter.
Throughout its eight episodes,Happy Faceis a layered TV show thatpresents an intriguing mystery while also delving into the harsh realities of the effect that being related to a serial killer has on their family.Happy Faceis suitably intense and layered, more so because the show isn’t purely fiction, but has its basis in a true story.
Happy Face Is A Crime Thriller Based On A True Story
It’s Based On A Memoir & A Podcast By Melissa Moore
Thedeeply engrossingHappy Faceis proof that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. Created by Jennifer Cacicio,Happy Face’s premise is derived from a true story that happened to Melissa Moore, whose bookShattered Silenceand podcastHappy Faceserved as the source material for the Paramount+ TV show. In 1995,Moore’s life was turned upside down when her father, Keith Jesperson, was arrested for murdering eight women.
The crime drama depicts the contentious relationship between Moore and Jesperson,who was known as the Happy Face Killer because he signed his letters confessing to the crimes he had committed with a happy face(viaTime).Happy Faceoffers a chilling look into the notorious serial killer’s psyche, and can oftentimes be disturbing.
The Paramount+ series does take some creative liberties in bringing Jesperson’s story to life, including the fact that he had nine victims when, in reality, he never confessed to no more than eight murders (viaBiography). Despite this, there are some things that the crime drama accurately — and excellently — portrays, such as the toxic relationship between father and daughter.
Why Happy Face Was Canceled After Season 1
The Dennis Quaid Crime Drama Wasn’t A Hit With Audiences And Critics
Dennis Quaid’s crime drama only ran for one season beforeParamount+ canceledHappy Face, which was announced earlier this week. In the age of streaming, TV shows, even the ones that seem to do well with audiences and critics, don’t always stand the test of time. So while the cancellation ofHappy Faceis sad, it’s not really shocking.
57%
Audience Rotten Tomatoes Score
43%
AlthoughHappy Faceis an intriguing show, it wasn’t a smash hit. The crime drama only hit 57% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes andhad a 43% Popcornmeter score.
According to a report byDeadline,Happy Facedidn’t make much noise and remained unknown to audiences during its run. The crime drama didn’t even make it into Nielsen’s Streaming Originals Top 10. However, for those who enjoy deeply psychological crime dramas,Happy Facewill make the perfect binge watch.
Happy Face
Cast
Happy Face, set for release on August 01, 2025, centers on Melissa Reed, daughter of the infamous Happy Face Killer, Keith Jesperson. After years apart, Melissa is drawn into a tense investigation to exonerate an innocent man, confronting her father’s legacy and her own identity.
