Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (2025) – The Killer Behind the Clown Mask – Plot, Cast, Release Date & Where to Watch

"Evil doesn’t always hide in the shadows. Sometimes, it greets you with a smile."

On October 16, 2025, Peacock unveils one of its darkest and most haunting originals yet: Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. This true-crime drama peels back the unsettling double life of one of America’s most notorious serial killers, while giving voice to the grief and courage of his victims’ families.

🕰️ A Reign of Terror Hidden in Plain Sight

Between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy lived the life of a model citizen—or so it seemed. He was a Chicago-area contractor, a friendly neighbor, and even a community volunteer who performed at children’s hospitals dressed as “Pogo the Clown.”

But beneath the paint and smiles lurked horror. For six years, thirty-three young men vanished, their lives stolen and their bodies hidden in the crawl space beneath his suburban home.

As one investigator chillingly recalls: “He looked like the guy next door. But the crawl space told the truth.”

🎭 The Double Life of John Wayne Gacy

The series, created by Patrick Macmanus, dives deep into the paradox of Gacy’s life:

• A charming community leader vs. a sadistic predator.

• A man praised for his humor vs. one who lived with unimaginable darkness.

• A clown who made children laugh vs. a killer who preyed on the vulnerable.

What allowed him to commit such atrocities in plain sight? The documentary-drama exposes the systemic failures and societal blind spots that gave him cover for years.

🧩 The Victims’ Voices

More than a retelling of a killer’s crimes, Devil in Disguise ensures that the victims are never forgotten. Through interviews and dramatized storytelling, the series highlights their lives, dreams, and the enduring trauma carried by their families.

As one grieving parent shares: “The world remembers him as a monster. But I want them to remember my son as more than a victim.”

⭐ Cast & Creative Team

• Stars: Michael Chernus, Gabriel Luna, James Badge Dale

• Creator: Patrick Macmanus (Dr. Death)

• Production: Littleton Road Productions

The cast embodies not only Gacy’s chilling facade but also the detectives and loved ones who pieced together the puzzle of his crimes.

🕸️ Themes: Charm, Deception & Failure

Devil in Disguise isn’t just about Gacy. It’s about the societal prejudices and institutional oversights that allowed his crimes to continue for so long. Police missed warning signs. Communities overlooked suspicions. Prejudice against his mostly gay victims ensured their disappearances were not urgently pursued.

The result? Years of unchecked evil.

📺 Streaming Details

• Title: Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy

• Network: Peacock (Original)

• Release Date: October 16, 2025

• Genre: True Crime | Drama | Horror

🎬 Final Word

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is more than a retelling of crimes—it’s a haunting cautionary tale about trust, denial, and the darkness that can lurk behind even the friendliest faces.

This October, Peacock invites viewers to confront a nightmare that lived in daylight.

👉 Remember: sometimes the most terrifying monsters don’t wear masks. They paint them on.