New Peacock True Crime Miniseries Becomes a Hit Among Viewers, Earning Amazing Rotten Tomatoes Score

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I’m totally hooked on Peacock’s new miniseries, Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy! It just came out on October 16th, and it’s already getting a lot of buzz. It’s a really intense look at the life and horrifying crimes of John Wayne Gacy, the serial killer who took the lives of so many young men and boys back in the 70s. It’s a tough watch, but a really compelling one.

The series depicts John Wayne Gacy as both a seemingly upstanding citizen and a terrifying killer. It details the investigation into his crimes, shares the stories of his victims, and highlights the pain experienced by their families. Importantly, the show goes beyond simply recounting the events to examine how failures in the system, societal prejudices, and overlooked clues allowed Gacy to operate for so long.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025-) | Trailer⬇️

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I’m really excited about this cast! Michael Chernus is playing John Wayne Gacy, and he’s fantastic. Ryker Baloun is Robert Piest, and the supporting cast is incredible – Gabriel Luna as Detective 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. It’s a seriously talented group of actors!

The series has been well-received by critics, who appreciate its careful and respectful handling of the true story and the people involved. Melanie McFarland from Salon.com highlighted that this approach allows those connected to the events to maintain their dignity and humanity.

Melissa Camacho of Common Sense Media explained that the show serves as a reminder of the value of every life and the consequences of failing to protect it. Kate Sánchez from But Why Tho? praised the series’ strong performances and realistic portrayal, awarding it a score of 8.5 out of 10.

Many other critics shared similar opinions. Alan French from Sunshine State Cineplex praised the central performance as strong and understated, noting that Devil in Disguise is less sensationalized than other true crime series on Netflix. He also appreciated its focus on the impact on victims’ families, giving it a score of 8 out of 10. Grant Hermanns of Screen Rant called the series a standout example of true crime storytelling, highlighting its disturbing portrayal of the central figure, and awarded it 9/10.

I’ve been so impressed with the positive reception to this show! It’s got incredible scores on Rotten Tomatoes – 95% from critics and 85% from audiences on Popcornmeter. What really stands out to me, and what the reviewers have highlighted, is that it centers the victims and their families, rather than sensationalizing the story of Gacy himself. That’s a really important distinction that sets it apart from a lot of other true crime shows out there.

Alex Maidy from JoBlo’s Movie Network noted that Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is unsettling and will make viewers consider the importance of parental supervision. Roxana Hadadi of New York Magazine/Vulture added that the documentary focuses on the victims of the crimes, rather than sensationalizing true crime, and clearly demonstrates compassion for those affected.

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2025-12-21 22:48