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Limited Series – Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

Play trailer 1:18 Poster for Limited Series – Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy Oct 2025 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
When teenager Rob Piest goes missing in the Chicago area, the prime suspect is revealed to be an affable and well-liked local businessman named John Wayne Gacy. As officers tail, interrogate and eventually arrest Gacy, it becomes clear to the Des Plaines Police Department that the young man is just one of many who have disappeared at his hands. Lieutenant Joe Kozenczak and Detective Rafael Tovar lead the investigation that uncovers the remains of 32 young men and boys Gacy murdered, as well as the holes in the system that allowed Gacy to evade detection and capture for more than seven years. Meanwhile, a rivalry ensues between Gacy's lead defense lawyer, Sam Amirante, and the local prosecutor, William Kunkle, as the former tries to prevent Gacy's execution while the families attempt to understand how and why their sons were taken from them.
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Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy — Limited Series

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy — Limited Series

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Critics Consensus

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy offers a compassionate, morally clear reexamination of the infamous killer's crimes that honors victims and finds fresh purpose in retelling their stories.

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Critics Reviews

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Melanie McFarland Salon.com Oct 31
Such a measured approach enables the real people still connected to the story to retain their humanity and dignity. Go to Full Review Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) Oct 23
3/5
You don’t witness the many murders of Gacy (Michael Chernus), but you get a sense of his victims and the immense pain left in Gacy’s wake. I appreciated the care and professionalism. Go to Full Review Roxana Hadadi New York Magazine/Vulture Oct 20
Devil in Disguise doesn’t try to implicate its audience in the sport of watching true crime. Instead, it asks us to care about actual victims rather than abstract arguments of creative license, and it doesn’t disguise that compassion. Go to Full Review Pat Stacey Irish Independent Jan 26
What we have here is a rare thing: a drama about a serial killer that prizes sensitivity over sensationalism and doesn’t leave you feeling in need of a shower. Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media Oct 28
3/5
Designed to remind us that every person's life has value and worth protecting, and of what can happen when we don't. Go to Full Review Kate Sánchez But Why Tho? Oct 27
8.5/10
Wonderfully acted and grounded in every way that it can be, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy sets a new standard for true crime series. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kara K @KaraK Apr 28 Incredible series, gave me chills throughout the story. Michael Chernus really delivered on this role. See more Pedro O @PeterPhelps Mar 18 I was expecting something different but I ended uo enjoying every bit of it. See more Steven F. @SteveGotScored Mar 3 Absolutely incredible series! See more Maverick B @MaverickFernandes23 Feb 23 É uma série que tem uma forte capacidade de causar revolta, muito pela atuação de Michel Chernus, que consegue passar cinismo e indiferença de uma pessoa que tem traços de psicopatia. Gabriel Luna está irreconhecível, assim como Chis Sullivan. James Badge Dale está em seu melhor papel aqui. O uso de imagens reais ajudam a dar peso aos fatos. Porém o pecado está na maneira como as vítimas são apresentadas, sem em nenhum momento colocá-las frente a frente com seu assassino, e sem nem mesmo mostrar como ele as conheceu de fato, o que torna as histórias quase descoladas da trama principal. A direção de arte é um espetáculo e a caracterização setentista é muito crível. Outro ponto baixo é que a série ignora o fato de John Gacy ser palhaço de festas infantis, relegando isso a citações pequenas. Mas ainda assim, é uma série que vale o tempo investido. See more Jose N @soyjosenieves Feb 22 Me pareció una serie muy intensa e interesante. Cuenta una historia bastante dura, pero enfocándose más en las víctimas y en cómo falló el sistema, lo que la hace más impactante. Las actuaciones son muy buenas y me enganchó de principio a fin. See more Dan T @Dantrix Feb 8 Great story had it all ! Again the production is awful, who eats there diner in the dark what’s all the darkness about I know it’s a dark story but come on ! Some mumbling over loud music and as usual some really drawn out parts ! Cast and acting is good ! Could have been really good shame ! See more Read all reviews
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy — Limited Series

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Cast & Crew

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Michael Chernus

John Wayne Gacy

Gabriel Luna

Rafael Tovar

James Badge Dale

Joe Kozenczak

Michael Angarano

Sam Amirante

Chris Sullivan

Bill Kunkle

Marin Ireland

Elizabeth Piest

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Ten Days After teenager Robert Piest disappears on his mother's birthday, Des Plaines Police Department officers track, interrogate and tail the contractor Piest was last seen with -- John Wayne Gacy. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Johnny Officers excavate the crawl space beneath John Wayne Gacy's home; Gacy shows Amirante, Kunkle and Kozenczak where he disposed of Rob's body; Johnny Szyc and his best friend, Lynn, venture into Uptown. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Samuel and Randy The media circus begins; Amirante questions whether defending Gacy is the right choice; the Piests cope with the reality of what Gacy did to Rob; Sam Stapleton and Randy Reffett navigate boyhood in Uptown. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Billy A psychiatrist interviews Gacy, revealing disturbing details about his past; Tovar and Kozenczak confront the dark truths of the systemic failures that allowed Gacy to kill for so long; a love story unfolds between Billy Kindred and Maryjane. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Billy and Dale A blizzard buries Chicago; Kozenczak tracks down Gacy's surviving victims; Kunkle and Kozenczak attempt to break Gacy's accomplice, David Cram; Billy Carroll introduces Dale Landingin to the lucrative, but sometimes dangerous world of sex work. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Tim, John and Rob In the past, an inebriated Gacy confesses to Sam the ways he groomed, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed countless boys and young men. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 16, 2025 David Kunkle and Sam are knee-deep in Gacy's trial; Tovar volunteers to drive Gacy to and from court, attempting to compel him to come clean about how many he killed; the disturbing tale of how Gacy befriended and groomed David Cram is revealed. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 16, 2025 Jeffrey The life of Jeffrey Rignall, one of Gacy's few surviving victims, is chronicled; Gacy's execution day causes massive protests and reunions as victims' family members and those who worked the case seek closure; Amirante tries to move on. Details
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Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy — Limited Series

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Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy — Limited Series

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Season Info

Director
Maggie Kiley, Bille Woodruff, Larysa Kondracki, Patrick Macmanus, Ashley Michel Hoban
Executive Producer
Patrick Macmanus, Noah Oppenheim, Liz Cole, Ashley Michel Hoban, Ahmadu Garba, Kelly Funke
Screenwriter
Gregory Locklear, Matthew White, Sebastian Rea, Patrick Macmanus
Network
Peacock
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 16, 2025