Serial killer Keith Jesperson murders at least eight women over a five-year span and taunts authorities with disturbing letters and scribbled confessions signed with a happy face.
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Title: Happy Face Killer (TV Movie 2014)
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1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| David Arquette | ... | Keith Jesperson | |
| Gloria Reuben | ... | Melinda Gand | |
| Daryl Shuttleworth | ... | Sheriff Cotton | |
| Stefanie von Pfetten | ... | Diane Loftin | |
| Melissa M. Montgomery | ... | Felicia Boones | |
| Emily Haine | ... | Sissy Peyton | |
| Jordana Largy | ... | Candy | |
| Josh Blacker | ... | Peter Anselo | |
| Mittita Barber | ... | Summer Northern | |
| Kelly-Ruth Mercier | ... | Delores Parnicke | |
| David Allan Pearson | ... | Dez Whitman | |
| Vanessa Walsh | ... | Taffy Billings | |
 |
Peter Flemming | ... | John Jesperson |
| Crystal Mudry | ... | Redhead | |
| Kurt Evans | ... | Levi Mayfield | |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Follow the hunt and ultimate capture of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson. An aspiring cop turned long-haul truck driver after a failed marriage, Jesperson strangled his first victim following an argument and was back on the road again the very next day, killing at least eight women over a five-year span as he crisscrossed the country. Upset after a woman falsely confesses that she and her boyfriend are responsible for one of his murders, Jesperson begins to taunt the authorities by sending a series of disturbing letters to newspaper editors, even scribbling confessions on the walls of highway rest stops admitting that he loved killing his victims. By signing his morbid notes with a happy face, he earned himself the notorious nickname, "Happy Face Killer" and forever left his mark of fear. Written by Lifetime Television
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
1 March 2014 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Happy Face Killer See more »Filming Locations:
Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaCompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
16:9 HD
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The Sheriff states at the medical examiner's office that the only evidence was the happy face, bar stamp on her hand, and that her zipper had been cut out. The hand stamp would be insufficient evidence to define a crime scene. See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Contrary to what was shown, the FBI had minimal involvement in the several homicides. The cases were investigated by the local agencies the FBI supervisor had demeaned early in the movie. See more »Goofs
The FBI was called in supposedly due to the murder taking place in Oregon and the body being dumped in Washington. The problem with this is that there was no defined crime scene. Cases such as these are investigated within the jurisdiction where the body was located. If evidence that the crime took place elsewhere was discovered, at that point it would be investigated and prosecuted there.The Sheriff states at the medical examiner's office that the only evidence was the happy face, bar stamp on her hand, and that her zipper had been cut out. The hand stamp would be insufficient evidence to define a crime scene. See more »
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Flagged on the IMDb as "American," this is yet another in the long (too long) line of Canadian knockoffs posing as something they are not.
Produced by a Vancouver production house specializing in projects with "strong female characters," starring Canadian actress Gloria Reuben (as the lead FBI investigator) and also starring "token" American David Arquette (the killer), this film pretty much is the poster child for 100% forgettable "poseur" films from the Frozen North.
As far as this reviewer can tell, Reuben has never carried an entire film on her back before. And this may be the last time she gets the chance.
Arquette has played baddies before, but is lost here with weak writing and direction. He struggles in the role.
One single example if I may be permitted: when Reuben's character receives a hand-written letter from the Happy Face killer -- with a happy face as the return address -- you might expect her (if you are a regular film goer) to wear gloves and call a CSI before opening it...? You would be wrong. In this script, in this sloppy production, she opens it with the gusto and abandon a 12 year old would reserve for a Big Mac.
Prints? Forensics? That is something you see only in "real" movies.
Which this is not.