Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Discussions of murder, rape in aimless serial killer drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Happy Face
What's the Story?
HAPPY FACE introduces Melissa Moore, a makeup artist raising two kids with her husband in the suburbs. One day, Melissa's oldest daughter receives a birthday card from her grandfather, Melissa's father, who also happens to be the Happy Face Killer. Instantly, Melissa's life gets re-intertwined with her father's. When he admits to having killed a ninth victim, Melissa and an investigative reporter work together to find her.
Is It Any Good?
Most serial killer dramas focus on finding and catching a sort of superpowered bad guy. Happy Face's killer has already been caught in the show based on a true story. The series takes a unique spin on the formula, focusing on the collateral damage the serial killer causes within his own family. The trouble is, without a clear throughline, it's hard to latch on to what precisely the series is about, where it's going, or whether or not to climb onboard for the ride.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why people are fascinated by true crime stories and serial killers? What ethical considerations should media creators keep in mind when telling these stories?
What's the difference between showing violence on screen versus describing it? Which do you think has more impact, and why?
How would you feel if you discovered a close family member had committed terrible crimes? How might that affect your sense of identity and your relationships with others?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 20, 2025
- Cast : Annaleigh Ashford , Dennis Quaid , James Wolk
- Network : Paramount+
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 23, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate