Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy
From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer's house. And no one was the wiser. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He volunteered to entertain sick kids dressed as a clown. Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of John Wayne Gacy's life while weaving in the heartrending stories of his mostly gay victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.
- Metascore76
- 2025-2025
- 1 season
- Peacock
- Suspense, Drama, Horror
- TV-MA
From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer's house. And no one was the wiser. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He volunteered to entertain sick kids dressed as a clown. Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of John Wayne Gacy's life while weaving in the heartrending stories of his mostly gay victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.
Season 1 Episode Guide
8 Episodes 2025
Episode 1
Ten Days
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 58 mins
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.
Episode 2
Johnny
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 58 mins
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.
Episode 3
Samuel and Randy
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 57 mins
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.
Episode 4
Billy
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 60 mins
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.
Episode 5
Billy and Dale
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 47 mins
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.
Episode 6
Tim, John and Rob
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 60 mins
In the past, an inebriated Gacy confesses to Sam the ways he groomed, sexually assaulted, tortured and killed countless boys and young men.
Episode 7
David
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 56 mins
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.
Episode 8
Jeffrey
Thu, Oct 16, 2025 58 mins
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.