Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy Review: You know that moment when you press play on a true crime show and instantly feel a chill crawl down your spine? That’s exactly what happened to me with Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy on Peacock.
As someone who’s seen more than my fair share of true crime docuseries, I thought I was prepared. I wasn’t. This limited series hits harder, digs deeper, and refuses to sensationalize a story that’s already horrifying on its own.
My Rating: 4.0/5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy |
| Type | Limited Docuseries / True Crime |
| Platform | Peacock |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Runtime | Approx. 45–50 minutes per episode |
| Genre | True Crime, Documentary, Drama |
| Showrunner / Writer | Patrick McManus |
| Main Cast | Michael Chernus (John Wayne Gacy), Gabriel Luna (Investigator), Michael Angarano (Gacy’s Lawyer) |
A Case That Still Haunts America
Between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy murdered 33 young men, most buried beneath his own home. On paper, it sounds like the perfect setup for a graphic, exploitative show. But Devil in Disguise doesn’t go that route.
Instead, it focuses on the human cost, the victims, the families, the investigators, and the sheer societal failure that allowed a monster like Gacy to blend in for so long.
He wasn’t hiding in the shadows; he was a community man, a volunteer clown, a guy who entertained sick kids. That’s what makes this story so disturbing; evil didn’t just lurk; it smiled in plain sight.
Not About the Murders — About the Aftermath
Here’s what sets this show apart: it’s not obsessed with the killings. Sure, the crimes are there, implied, suggested, and felt, but the focus is on everything around them. The aftermath. The trauma. The missed red flags.
The first few episodes dive into the hunt, yes, but the rest go beyond that. They unpack how systems failed, how prejudice blinded investigators, and how so many boys were dismissed because they didn’t fit society’s idea of “innocent victims.”
It’s the kind of storytelling that doesn’t let you look away, not because of blood or shock value, but because it forces you to feel the weight of it.
Michael Chernus Is Unnervingly Brilliant as Gacy
Let’s get to the heart of it: Michael Chernus is terrifyingly good. He doesn’t play Gacy like a cartoon villain. He plays him as a man, one who’s charming, cocky, even likable at first. And that’s the most disturbing part. Chernus nails that thin, horrifying line between everyday charisma and unhinged cruelty.
At times, you almost forget you’re watching an actor. He embodies Gacy’s duality so convincingly, the clown with a smile that hides a graveyard underneath his house. I can’t overstate it: this performance alone makes the series worth watching.
The Supporting Cast Deserves Credit Too
Gabriel Luna plays one of the few morally grounded investigators in the story. He’s the guy who actually cares about the truth, not just closing a case. In a world of corrupt cops and lazy assumptions, Luna brings a real sense of integrity and frustration to his role.
Then there’s Michael Angarano as Gacy’s lawyer, stuck between legal duty and personal disgust. His scenes add a necessary layer, the moral wrestling match of representing someone irredeemable.
Even the smaller roles, from victims’ families to other officers, feel lived-in, emotional, and painfully human.
Direction That Balances Horror and Humanity
Patrick McManus, the showrunner and writer, walks a tightrope here. This could’ve easily become another “killer glorification” series, but McManus refuses to let that happen.
The violence is mostly implied, and that restraint makes it even more powerful. You see just enough to understand the horror, the twisted necks, the buried crawl space, the quiet panic in the victims’ eyes. But it never turns into a spectacle. This isn’t a show that shows you evil; it makes you sit with it.
Cinematography and Production Design: Pure 1970s Grit
Visually, the show feels grimy in the best way. The cinematography captures that late-‘70s Midwest eeriness, dim rooms, peeling wallpaper, that weirdly nostalgic yellow tint. It’s ugly, but intentionally so.
And here’s the clever part: the lighting and tone borrow from Michael Mann’s style, hyper-real, almost digital in texture, which makes an old story feel unsettlingly modern. It’s a time capsule with a pulse.
The Show’s Most Powerful Choice: Empathy
What struck me the most was the decision to end every episode with a memorial tribute to the victims. It’s simple, respectful, and deeply moving. You’re reminded, over and over, that these weren’t just “victims.” They were sons, brothers, friends. Real people whose lives were brutally cut short.
That emotional grounding keeps the series from ever slipping into exploitation. It’s not about Gacy’s crimes; it’s about the people he destroyed.
Pacing That Earns Every Minute
Eight episodes may sound long, but Devil in Disguise earns its runtime. The structure is tight. Every subplot connects. Every episode ends with something that keeps you thinking, not about what happens next, but about what it means.
It’s methodical, but never boring. A psychological autopsy, not a horror ride.
The Soundtrack and Tone of Devil in Disguise
The music adds just the right amount of dread without overdoing it. It’s not “scary,” exactly; it’s sad, anxious, and quietly haunting. Each track feels designed to keep you emotionally unsettled, reminding you that this isn’t fiction; it really happened.
Good & Bad in “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy”
| What Worked | What Didn’t Work |
|---|---|
| Michael Chernus gives a chilling, layered performance | The pacing may feel slow to casual viewers |
| Human-centered storytelling over gore | Limited rewatch value due to emotional heaviness |
| Powerful focus on victims and social commentary | Could use tighter editing in middle episodes |
| Cinematography that blends vintage and modern aesthetics | Not much new for hardcore true-crime veterans |
| Outstanding supporting cast performances | Emotionally draining — not for everyone |
Also Read: Our Fault Review (Culpa Nuestra): Visually Hot, Emotionally Cold
My Verdict About Devil in Disguise
Devil in Disguise is not an easy watch, and it’s not supposed to be. It’s heavy, heartbreaking, and brutally honest about how monsters hide in plain sight. But it’s also one of the most thoughtful true crime series I’ve ever seen. It never forgets who the real focus should be: the victims, not the killer.
Michael Chernus deserves awards for this. Patrick McManus deserves respect for handling such disturbing material with empathy instead of exploitation.
My Rating: 4.0/5.
A haunting, layered dissection of a killer’s world, not through his eyes, but through the devastation he left behind.
Conclusion Of Devil in Disguise
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy isn’t just another entry in the true crime craze. It’s a sobering reminder that evil doesn’t always wear a mask; sometimes, it wears a clown costume and smiles for the camera.
It’s dark, smart, and relentlessly human. By the time the credits roll, you’re not left horrified by Gacy — you’re broken by what the world allowed him to do. Watch it when you’re ready. Sit with it. Let it sink in. Because that’s exactly what this story deserves.
FAQs About Devil in Disguise
Q1: Is Devil in Disguise too graphic or disturbing to watch?
Not overly. The show implies violence rather than showing it directly. The horror lies in the emotional weight, not the gore.
Q2: How accurate is the Devil in Disguise to real events?
Very. It closely follows historical records and firsthand accounts, with a strong focus on the victims’ experiences.
Q3: How’s Michael Chernus as John Wayne Gacy?
He’s phenomenal, easily one of the best portrayals of a real-life serial killer on screen.
Q4: Does the show glorify the killer?
Not at all. It’s one of the rare true crime stories that firmly keeps sympathy for the victims.
Q5: Is it worth watching if I’ve already seen To Catch a Killer (1992)?
Yes. That movie focused on the hunt; this series focuses on the human cost. Together, they tell the full story.