Cara feliz: La historia de un asesino en serie

The title pulled me in. The premise - a serial killer's daughter hiding her identity - had weight, tension, something dark and promising. And with Analeigh Ashford in the lead, I figured it had the bones to go somewhere. Episode 1 delivered. It leaned into the paranoia, the fear, the secrets.

Then the show took a wrong turn. The original premise faded, replaced by a routine detective drama padded with forgettable side characters and even more forgettable subplots. Melissa, once a compelling center, spirals into something shrill and exhausting. Her husband - a blank. Her daughter - unbearable.

But Dennis Quaid. He does something almost supernatural. As the serial killer - the actual murderer - he becomes the only one you want to watch. Charming, calm, and razor-sharp, he commands every scene with a twisted campy elegance. Somehow, he turns the monster into the magnet. You don't just understand him. You root for him.

It's a masterclass in subversion. The killer becomes the hero. Everyone else fades. And by the end, you realize the most dangerous man in the story is the only one worth following.

I watched without knowing anything about the real crime. It seems people are just low balling this because it's not an accurate documentary. I watched for what it is intended to be, thriller entertainment and I felt each episode made me want to watch the next. They go through so many people that could be the killer but you don't know until the end and that made it extra enticing for me. I felt the acting was good and the end of each episode made me want to start the next which is what you want from a good show. If you simply watch for a thrilling entertainment based on a serial killer I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you're a crime hound wanting a true to life documentary this is not for you.

Some actors I find a bit questionable and cringe but everytime Dennis is on the screen he nails his character and I even sometimes get chills. He does the creepiness and the quick change of emotions really well. You can tell he really took the time to prepare for his character. I think the actress playing Melissa can feel unserious and quirky at times but in a good way if that's the role she was meant to play.

Definitely give this show a chance - it feels alot lighter than other true crime series and i was hesitant at first but I'm glad I started the first episode and then after I was hooked!

Happy Face, the Paramount+ series based on the true story of Melissa Moore, the daughter of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, aims to be a gripping true-crime drama. While the premise is inherently compelling, the show often veers into exploitative territory, prioritizing sensationalism over a nuanced exploration of grief and trauma.

The series centers on Melissa (Annaleigh Ashford) as she grapples with her father's horrific crimes and his continued attempts to manipulate her from behind bars. Dennis Quaid delivers a chilling performance as Jesperson, capturing his unsettling charm and underlying menace. However, the show's reliance on his character often feels gratuitous, dwelling on the gruesome details of his murders in a way that seems designed to shock rather than inform.

I don't like the character played by Ivy, she used her friend for ratings.

In conclusion, Happy Face is a mixed bag. While it boasts strong performances and a compelling central story, its tendency towards exploitation and excessive drama ultimately undermines its potential. The show raises important questions about the ethics of true-crime storytelling, but it often falls victim to the very issues it seeks to critique. Rather than offering a thoughtful exploration of grief and trauma, Happy Face too often settles for sensationalism, leaving the viewer feeling more manipulated than enlightened.

This series starts with a promising concept and an engaging atmosphere. However, the overall experience is significantly undermined by the illogical and inconsistent behavior of the main characters - they often make decisions that feel forced or completely unreasonable. On top of that, the constant use of shaky hand-held camera work becomes genuinely irritating. It's not used to enhance realism or tension, but rather seems to be a stylistic choice that adds nothing and only distracts. These two major issues prevent the show from reaching its full potential, despite the good premise and decent acting.