True Crime Drama ‘Joyful Visage’ Spotlights Killer’s Family
The Paramount+ new series, ‘Joyful Visage,’ contains all the crucial elements that make a true crime drama compelling: a dreaded serial killer, his alienated daughter, and the crucial race to rescue an innocent person from the death penalty. But what sets it apart? Its deep dive into the distortion true crime has on our perspective. Executive producer and showrunner, Jennifer Cacicio, voices, ‘My interest was not so much in the serial killer’s unique psychology, or the glorification of the murders, or to depict violence against women. These dimensions have been explored before. I was more focused on presenting a true-crime narrative through an alternative perspective.’
‘Joyful Visage,’ which commenced airing recently, is based on the real-life experiences of Melissa Moore, the daughter of a notorious serial assassin known for his trademark of painting smiley faces on his notes to the press and prosecutors. Melissa was a mere 15-year-old when her father was apprehended. Now, years later, as a mother herself, she becomes unexpectedly drawn back into his world while trying to exonerate an innocent person who was blamed for a crime her father committed. She also bears the heavy responsibility of sharing the truth about their grandfather with her daughter.
The series, featuring Annaleigh Ashford and Dennis Quaid, is framed from a female perspective, exploring the impact of a disgraceful secret echoing over generations. It further delves into the paradoxical pull of notoriety, where gruesome offenses paradoxically continue to captivate the public. ‘Several crime dramas today take on a very masculine narrative, revolving around the intrigue of either the law enforcement officers or the criminals, often boasting about storming into buildings. I have contributed to such shows, they surely have their fun and serve a purpose. But with this project, I wanted to explore something different,’ Cacicio explains.
She elaborates, ‘How does the rest of the family handle the shameful secret, this string of crimes, these violent acts, and what ripple effect does it have on everyone involved?’ Ashford embodies Moore with sensitivity and ire. She shares how she was interested in unpacking the notion of inherited trauma. ‘Having a family member fall victim is one of the worst nightmares,’ she acknowledges. ‘But the second worst nightmare is having a family member as the perpetrator. How would you react if a parent, a sibling, a spouse, or a child committed such a horrific act?’
‘Several of the feelings mirrored my own personal experiences in certain ways. I believe that’s what led her to trust me — the fact that I could deeply empathize, even if I wasn’t familiar with the exact circumstances,’ said Ashford. Quaid assumes the role of Moore’s father. Unlike his previous characters that were based on real individuals, Quaid had no plans to meet the convict. He did not intend to venerate the murderer, and moreover, ‘Joyful Visage’ is not the kind of show that would either.
‘This narrative is presented from Melissa’s perspective. I believe it’s closer to reality than his viewpoint, as she comprehends him better than he does himself,’ Quaid states. ‘I perceive his emotions as those of a naive child trying to talk his way out of punishment.’ Cacicio emphasizes the need to reflect on the rise in popularity of true crime genre, where women frequently become victims, yet they also form the majority of the audience.
‘Are we engrossed in such stories because we’re subconsciously preparing ourselves for the worst?’ she ponders. ‘I once read that this can be seen as an attempt to normalize our own experiences, because usually whatever we witness is worse than our own experiences. This somehow provides a strange comfort about one’s own traumas.’