Dennis Quaid Tackles 'Happy Face' Killer in New Paramount+ Series Premiere

When Dennis Quaid, actor of Paramount+ steps into the shoes of notorious serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, audiences get a rare glimpse of a Hollywood veteran wrestling with real‑world horror.

The eight‑part limited series Happy Face debuted on March 20, 2025, after a high‑profile showcase at the SXSW Film FestivalAustin, Texas. Filmed on location at The Lodge venue during the festival’s March 7‑16 run, the show dives deep into the twisted legacy of the "Happy Face Killer" – a moniker earned when Jesperson doodled smiley faces on letters to newspapers and police.

Background of the "Happy Face" Killer

Born in 1955, Keith Hunter Jesperson, serial killer claimed responsibility for roughly 185 murders, though law enforcement could only confirm eight victims between 1990 and 1995. He is currently serving life without parole at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon. The smiley face signature, meant as a taunt, turned his crimes into a macabre pop‑culture footnote that still haunts true‑crime fans.

From Memoir to Screen: Development of the Series

The series traces its roots to Melissa G. Moore, author's 2009 memoir Shattered Silence, co‑written with M. Bridget Cook, and a 12‑episode podcast that chronicled her childhood revelation at age 15 when her father’s crimes came to light. Moore, who also serves as an executive producer, insisted the adaptation honor the survivor’s perspective rather than glorify Jesperson.

"When I decided to tell the story, I wanted it to be about how a daughter reconciles love with horror," Moore explained in a recent interview. "It's not just a true‑crime retelling; it's a family narrative about trauma and redemption."

Dennis Quaid's Turn to Darkness

Quaid, a two‑time Oscar nominee with a five‑decade résumé that includes The Parent Trap (1998) and The Rookie (2002), was initially hesitant. In an IndieWire chat with Vincent Perella on March 10, 2025, at The Lodge, he said, "I wasn’t interested in playing a serial killer. I don’t want to glorify any of them. It was the daughter’s story that drew me in."

Quaid’s performance, however, has sparked a split among critics. Screen Rant praised his chilling presence, noting he "has the easy job of being the scary, off‑putting killer, and he’s having the time of his life playing the villain." Conversely, some reviewers argue his traditionally affable screen persona makes the transformation feel forced.

Critical Reception and Ethical Debate

True‑crime adaptations often walk a razor‑thin line between insight and exploitation. The involvement of Moore as executive producer is seen as a mitigating factor, yet the series still raises questions about profiting from victims’ pain.

• Eight confirmed victims, with Jesperson claiming up to 185 kills.
• Series shot on location in Austin, with authentic prison‑style set pieces at The Lodge.
• First two episodes released immediately on Paramount+, with weekly drops through April 2025.
• Rotten Tomatoes currently rates the show at 71%, reflecting mixed but generally favorable reviews.

Beyond numbers, the show forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths: how a father’s love can mask monstrous deeds, and how a child’s quest for truth can become a public crusade.

Looking Ahead: Impact and Future Seasons

Moore hinted that the series may expand beyond Jesperson’s case to explore other unsolved mysteries tied to wrongful convictions—a theme hinted at in episode three where Melissa investigates a possibly innocent inmate awaiting execution.

Paramount+’s head of original programming, Megan Collins, told Variety that the network hopes the series will "spark conversation about the responsibilities of true‑crime storytelling while delivering compelling drama."

For Quaid, the role might signal a late‑career renaissance in darker material, echoing his acclaimed turn in the Oscar‑winning horror film The Substance (2024). Whether audiences will embrace him as a believable villain remains to be seen, but the buzz around Happy Face proves the risk has already paid off in attention.