He was a party clown who buried bodies under his house and ran political fundraisers.
John Wayne Gacy is known to have murdered 33 teenage boys and young men between 1972 and 1978 — 26 of whom he buried in the crawl space of his Chicago Home.
He was convicted of more murders than anyone in U.S. history.
I was frustrated at all the terrifying missed moments in this one — how could people miss all the red flags!?
Trailer for “John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Gacy performed as “Pogo the Clown” at children’s hospitals, all while he had dozens of bodies buried in his crawl space.
- When police were actively digging up his property, Gacy still agreed to interviews—acting smug and denying everything as the body count rose daily. But then he confessed to it all!
- He lured many of his victims by pretending to be a cop (or offering construction jobs). Then used handcuffs as part of a “magic trick” to restrain them.
Watch “John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise”
You can stream the full docuseries on Peacock.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 85/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: This six-part docuseries was directed by Rod Blackhurst (known for “Amanda Knox”) and produced by NBC News Studios.
Release Date: March 25, 2021 (Peacock)
My Review of “Devil in Disguise”
The Setup
Unlike some murder docs that play up horror, this one keeps its focus on systems of power and neglect. The cops, the courts, and even the community failed the victims.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The doc outlines how Gacy killed at least 33 boys and young men between 1972 and 1978—but families and investigators believe the number could be higher.
- It explores how police initially brushed off missing persons reports because many victims were gay teens or runaways—a gut-punch reminder of systemic failure.
- There’s actual audio of Gacy speaking from prison, reflecting on his crimes, deflecting blame, and chillingly recounting how “bodies don’t just walk away.”
- Law enforcement admits they considered declaring him insane—even while victims were being dug up—just to get the trial moving. The courtroom debates are intense.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- He was married twice and active in Chicago’s Democratic Party—he posed for photos with First Lady Rosalynn Carter, wearing a pin that labeled him as a U.S. Secret Service volunteer.
- The crawl space wasn’t enough—when he ran out of room under his house, he started dumping bodies in the nearby Des Plaines River.
- Some of the victims have still not been identified. Cook County investigators are using modern DNA tools to match remains decades later.
Wrap Up
This one sticks with you. If you’re into true crime that exposes not just the killer but the cracks in the system, “Devil in Disguise” is worth your time.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc