‘Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy’ Avoids the Key Flaw of Netflix’s ‘Monster’

by

For years, Netflix has been the leading platform for true-crime content, offering a huge collection of documentaries about famous serial killers and criminal cases. However, that lead was challenged in 2022 with the release of Ryan Murphy’s ‘Monster’ series, beginning with the story of Jeffrey Dahmer. This series takes a different approach to the genre, prioritizing shock value and attention over a strictly accurate retelling of events.

True crime fans now anticipate highly dramatized versions of these stories, and while this approach has been popular, it’s also faced criticism. The families of Dahmer’s victims have stated that Ryan Murphy didn’t seek their permission to create the show or portray their loved ones, a claim Murphy disputes. Following their complaints, the Monster series saw a drop in viewers after its initial release, and this continued with The Ed Gein Story, which premiered on October 3rd. Viewers have noticed that the series often takes significant creative liberties, sometimes focusing more on the killers and even romanticizing them, instead of prioritizing the victims.

Viewers have been wanting true-crime stories that stick to the facts, and Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy delivers. This documentary focuses on the victims and tells the story of the killer without sensationalizing it with excessive violence – a refreshing change from many shows in the genre.

Peacock’s ‘Devil in Disguise’ Proves Superior to Netflix’s ‘Monster’


Peacock

Peacock’s new show, Devil in Disguise, is quickly becoming a competitor to Netflix’s Monster. Unlike Monster, which has received mixed reviews, Devil in Disguise is earning praise for its approach to the thriller genre. A key difference is that the Peacock series focuses on suspense rather than graphic violence to attract viewers.

As a critic, I’ve seen too many true crime shows fall into the trap of humanizing the monster, but ‘Devil in Disguise’ smartly avoids that. Instead of focusing on John Gacy himself, it rightfully centers the lives of those he tragically cut short. What struck me most was its restraint. It doesn’t rely on graphic violence or tired tropes – no scenes of the actual killings, no creepy clown imagery, and thankfully, no drawn-out courtroom drama. We’ve seen all that before. Frankly, I appreciate that choice. Too often, shows like this prioritize the notoriety of the killer, and as we’ve seen with criticisms of ‘Monster,’ the victims get lost in the shuffle. This series seems determined to tell their stories, and that’s a refreshing change.

What really struck me about Devil in Disguise wasn’t the horror of the crimes themselves, but the way it showed the lives of Gacy’s victims before they were taken. Getting to know who these boys and young men were, and understanding everything Gacy stole from them and their families, was far more impactful. It really made me think about the pain those families must still feel, and the impossible question of ‘why’ they had to go through this. It’s a question they don’t deserve to have to ask, but one they can’t escape.

The show evokes a much stronger emotional response and allows viewers to truly understand the devastating consequences of Gacy’s crimes. He didn’t just take lives; he destroyed families and futures. What’s become clear is that audiences are more interested in the stories of the victims – their lives, their dreams, and what was lost – rather than the details of the crimes themselves.

‘Devil in Disguise’ Doesn’t Sensationalize Violence


Peacock

Unlike the graphic depictions in Monster, Devil in Disguise doesn’t show violence until later in the series, and even then, it’s largely suggested rather than explicitly shown. Each episode focuses on the story of one or two of John Wayne Gacy’s victims, named after them directly. The series also includes authentic footage from the era—news reports, photos of the victims, and interviews with their families—to emphasize the human cost of the crimes.

A key difference between Monster and Devil in Disguise is the level of research and dedication to getting the facts right. According to showrunner Patrick Macmanus, he intentionally spent considerable time investigating the victims and their cases, even contacting them directly before starting production. He told Variety that his team made a point of reaching out to the families and surviving victims from the beginning. Macmanus carefully crafted each episode to keep the focus on the victims and avoid sensationalizing the crimes of John Wayne Gacy. The series finale, focusing on Jeffrey Rignall’s story, powerfully illustrates this commitment.

We wanted to emphasize that many people experience hardship due to abusive parents or struggle with their identity because of prejudice – whether it comes from society, schools, or even their families. However, none of those struggles justify taking 33 lives. By portraying a character who was completely uninhibited and lived life to the fullest, even by today’s standards, we aimed to show that this queer individual was simply living authentically and wasn’t involved in any wrongdoing.

People are fascinated by true stories, and that’s why so many are watching this series. You can stream all eight episodes of Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy on Peacock.

Read More

2025-10-21 00:36