Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Docuseries about famed serial killer has sexual violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise
What's the Story?
JOHN WAYNE GACY: DEVIL IN DISGUISE is a documentary about the notorious 1970s serial killer. The series details Gacy's case, his background, how he was caught, how he committed his crimes, and how he was convicted. It also explores the legacy of his case. Gacy was notoriously well-liked and respected among his friends and neighbors, and one of the main focuses of the documentary is how a serial killer can hide in plain sight.
Is It Any Good?
True crime series are incredibly popular, but it's worth asking how learning about crimes of the past can be relevant to today. John Wayne Gacy doesn't quite carry the name recognition he had even 25 years ago, but his story still carries weight. Devil in Disguise focuses on how a serial killer and predator was able to assimilate into suburbia. It uses little-seen interviews with Gacy, as well as new interviews with his investigators, prosecutors, friends and neighbors. The subject is fascinating, but Devil in Disguise doesn't do much to appeal to viewers who might not already be interested in serial killers, or Gacy himself. In that sense, it feels like it's arrived 25 years late.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about John Wayne Gacy. What did you know about Gacy before watching the documentary? What inspired you to watch it? What can be learned from Gacy's story? Why do you think true crime documentaries are so popular?
How did investigators catch Gacy? What skills were needed to catch and convict him? What unique things did the investigators and prosecutors do in this case? How did luck come into play?
Why does the documentary emphasize how normal Gacy seemed? How did that affect how investigators treated him? How did friends and neighbors think about them? How did the revelation of his crimes change their perception?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 25, 2021
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Educational
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 7, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate