Dennis Quaid on the Chilling Psychology Behind Happy Face: “It’s Really About Ourselves”

By JustWatch Editorial Team

As Paramount+ prepares to air the highly anticipated season finale of Happy Face this Thursday, May 1st, JustWatch sat down with legendary actor Dennis Quaid to explore the psychological depths of his haunting new role. Known for his dynamic career spanning from feel-good family films like The Parent Trap to edgy dramas like The Substance, Quaid takes an unsettling turn in Happy Face, a series based on the disturbing true story of a notorious serial killer—and the daughter who ultimately brings him to justice.

In an exclusive quote featured in JustWatch’s “Why to Watch” series, Quaid offered insight into what drew him to the project and the larger questions it raises:

“What I found fascinating about Happy Face is that it wasn’t your typical story of a serial killer, but it was really this relationship between the father and the daughter,” said Quaid.

“Serial killers in a way are very easy to play because they don’t really have any empathy and feelings. We all have that capability maybe inside of us, or we suspect we do, so it gets down to human nature and the question becomes really about ourselves.”

The quote captures the core of Happy Face‘s appeal: it’s not just about horror or suspense, but about confronting the darker layers of human nature. And audiences are responding. The series has climbed 11 spots this week to #36 in JustWatch’s U.S. streaming charts—and with the finale imminent, it’s poised to rise even higher.

About Happy Face

Happy Face is a psychological crime drama adapted from the real-life memoir of Melissa Moore, whose father, known as the “Happy Face Killer,” led a double life that shattered her world. The series explores the complex dynamic between a manipulative, emotionless killer and his daughter, who finds herself caught between family loyalty and moral reckoning.

With Dennis Quaid in the lead as the eerily calm and calculated killer, the show dives into themes of trauma, identity, and whether evil is born or made. It’s a slow-burn thriller that leans more into character study than gore, making it a must-watch for fans of dark psychological storytelling.

About Dennis Quaid

A staple in American cinema for over four decades, Dennis Quaid first captured audiences in The Right Stuff (1983) and Innerspace (1987). His versatility has allowed him to move seamlessly between genres—from baseball drama The Rookie(2002) to blockbuster disaster flick The Day After Tomorrow (2004).

In Happy Face, Quaid sheds his traditionally affable persona to deliver one of the most chilling performances of his career. It’s a stark reminder of his range and his ability to fully inhabit any role he takes on.

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About JustWatch

JustWatch is the world’s largest streaming guide, helping over 60 million monthly users across 140 countries navigate the ever-growing world of digital content. Whether you’re looking for the latest series, classic films, or live sports, JustWatch aggregates streaming information from hundreds of platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and Hulu.

Headquartered in Berlin with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Munich, and London, JustWatch continues to help users decide what to watch—and where to find it—legally and easily.

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Don’t miss the finale of Happy Face this Thursday on Paramount+.
And read the full “Why to Watch” feature, including Dennis Quaid’s thoughts, at JustWatch.com.

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