Peacock’s “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” Review: True Crime Grows Up and Gets Uncomfortable

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, the new scripted limited series streaming exclusively on Peacock, drops all eight episodes at once and flips the switch on everything we’ve come to expect from serial killer dramas. Gone are the lurid montages and overcooked voiceovers. Instead, we get something far more unsettling: a story that refuses to look away from the failures of the systems we trust most.

Yes, it’s about John Wayne Gacy, the infamous Chicago contractor and part-time clown who murdered 33 young men in the 1970s but this is not your standard killer-of-the-week fare. This is prestige television that trades shock value for sharp commentary, careful pacing, and genuinely unnerving performances.

A Fresh Take on a Familiar Monster

Peacock’s John Wayne Gacy series doesn’t waste time fetishizing the killer. We already know what he did. Instead, the show is laser-focused on how he got away with it for so long. And here’s the uncomfortable truth the series keeps hammering home: he was able to operate undetected because his victims were young, poor, gay, and often ignored by the very people sworn to protect them.

This angle makes Devil in Disguise stand out in a sea of true crime content. It’s less about Gacy himself and more about the blind spots that allowed him to thrive. Police apathy, institutional bias, media indifference, all of it gets dragged into the light. It’s not always easy to watch, but it’s the kind of storytelling that sticks with you long after the final episode fades to black.

Michael Chernus Is Absolutely Terrifying

Let’s talk about that performance. Michael Chernus, typically known for his more grounded roles, goes full chameleon here, delivering a John Wayne Gacy that is both banal and bone-chilling. He doesn’t play Gacy as some Hollywood monster, but as a guy who could blend into a neighborhood barbecue. And that’s what makes it so disturbing. This isn’t horror. It’s reality, and Chernus leans into that banality to terrifying effect.

The supporting cast also brings their A-game. From dogged reporters to skeptical detectives to heartbroken families, every character adds weight to the narrative. Nobody feels like filler. Everyone matters.

Pacing That Demands Patience And It Pays Off

Now, let’s address the pacing. If you’re coming in expecting Mindhunter meets CSI, you might be in for a surprise. The show takes its time. It builds its world brick by brick, detail by detail. Some episodes feel like slow burns, but that’s part of the tension. The dread builds, and by episode five, you’re glued to the screen even if the action remains mostly offstage.

Yes, it could have trimmed ten minutes here and there. Yes, some points are made more than once. But honestly, that redundancy feels deliberate. It mimics the way institutions ignored warning signs again and again. The repetition becomes part of the message.

True Crime for Grown-Ups

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is the kind of true crime storytelling that actually challenges the viewer. It asks real questions. Why do we sensationalize killers? Why do we ignore victims who don't fit the media's preferred profile? Why does it always take too long to believe people when they say something’s wrong?

Peacock might not have the massive reach of Netflix or HBO, but this series proves it deserves a seat at the grown-up table of prestige drama. It’s bold, it’s brave, and it’s just the right amount of unsettling.

Final Thoughts

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy on Peacock is not the binge-watch you put on while folding laundry. It’s heavy. It’s smart. It might ruin your night, in a good way. For true crime fans who are tired of cookie-cutter docuseries and glamorized killers, this is the evolution the genre needed.

All episodes are now streaming, and trust us, you’ll want to pace yourself. Or don’t. Just be ready for a series that’s more mirror than monster story.

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