New Peacock True Crime Miniseries Becomes a Hit Among Viewers, Earning Amazing Rotten Tomatoes Score
Peacock’s new true crime drama miniseries, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, has quickly become a hit with viewers and critics alike. The eight-episode series premiered on October 16 and dramatizes the life and crimes of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who murdered dozens of young men and boys during the 1970s.
The series portrays Gacy as a respected community member while also showing his dark, murderous side. It follows the investigation that led to his capture, the lives of his victims, and the grief their families endured. Beyond recounting the crimes, the show explores systemic failures, societal biases, and missed opportunities that allowed Gacy to evade detection for years.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025-) | Trailer⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0QFWvbQE5S
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Michael Chernus stars as John Wayne Gacy, supported by Ryker Baloun as Robert Piest, Gabriel Luna as Detective Rafael Tovar, James Badge Dale as Joe Kozenczak, Michael Angarano as Sam Amirante, Chris Sullivan as Bill Kunkle, Marin Ireland as Elizabeth Piest, Augustus Prew as Jeffrey Rignall, and Brandon McEwan as Phillip Paske.
Critics have praised the series for its measured approach and respect for the real people involved. Melanie McFarland of Salon.com wrote, “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? described the series as “wonderfully acted and grounded in every way that it can be,” giving it an 8.5/10.
Other reviewers echoed these sentiments. Alan French of Sunshine State Cineplex said, “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,” rating it 8/10. Grant Hermanns of Screen Rant called it “a remarkable feat in true-crime storytelling with its horrific depiction of its titular figure,” giving it 9/10.
The show has received high praise on Rotten Tomatoes, holding a 95% average Tomatometer score and an 85% audience score on Popcornmeter. Critics have noted that the series focuses on the victims and their families rather than glorifying Gacy, which sets it apart from many other true crime programs.
Alex Maidy of JoBlo’s Movie Network said, “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy will make you uneasy and definitely think twice about why parents keep an eye on their kids as much as they do.” Roxana Hadadi of New York Magazine/Vulture added, “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.”
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