True Crime Fans Rave About Peacock’s Latest Miniseries

Peacock’s new miniseries Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy has quickly captured the attention of true crime fans. The eight-episode drama, which premiered on October 16, 2025, tells the story of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who murdered dozens of young men and boys during the 1970s.

The show explores Gacy as both a respected member of his community and a cold-blooded murderer. It follows the investigation that eventually led to his arrest, while also showing the lives of his victims and the grief their families endured. The series goes further by examining societal and systemic failures that allowed Gacy to evade justice for years.

Michael Chernus stars as Gacy, with Ryker Baloun playing Robert Piest, Gabriel Luna as Detective Rafael Tovar, James Badge Dale as Joe Kozenczak, Michael Angarano as Sam Amirante, and Chris Sullivan as Bill Kunkle. The supporting cast includes Marin Ireland, Augustus Prew, Brandon McEwan, Cricket Brown, and Thom Nyhuus.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025-) | Trailer⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0QFWvbQE5S

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Critics have praised the series for its careful handling of the subject matter. Melanie McFarland of Salon.com said, “Such a measured approach enables the real people still connected to the story to retain their humanity and dignity.”

Melissa Camacho from Common Sense Media added, “Designed to remind us that every person’s life has value and worth protecting, and of what can happen when we don’t.” Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? called the show “wonderfully acted and grounded in every way that it can be,” giving it an 8.5 out of 10.

Alan French of Sunshine State Cineplex noted, “With a very good, non-showy performance at the center, Devil in Disguise is far less scandalous than its Netflix counterparts. The willingness to engage with the harm done to the victims’ families also speaks to a frustrating part of the true crime genre.” Grant Hermanns of Screen Rant added, “Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is a remarkable feat in true-crime storytelling with its horrific depiction of its titular figure,” rating it 9 out of 10.

Other reviewers like Alex Maidy of JoBlo’s Movie Network and Ricky Valero of FandomWire said the series is unsettling but compelling for true crime fans, while Roxana Hadadi of New York Magazine highlighted its focus on the victims, writing, “It asks us to care about actual victims rather than abstract arguments of creative license, and it doesn’t disguise that compassion.”

The show currently holds a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85% audience score on Popcornmeter, reflecting strong support from both critics and viewers.

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