This week on The Commentary Booth, Jamie Apps and Corrina Mabey dig up the past to unmask one of America’s most terrifying killers — John Wayne Gacy. The duo dive into Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, the chilling true-crime drama that pulls audiences deep into the grim 1970s Chicago underworld where the “Killer Clown” hid in plain sight.

Across eight tense episodes, the Peacock miniseries traces Gacy’s horrifying double life as a local contractor by day and serial murderer by night. Jamie and Corrina unpack everything from Michael Chernus’ unsettling portrayal of Gacy to the show’s raw, gritty style that captures the era’s claustrophobic fear. They also discuss how the series resists glamorising violence, instead focusing on the victims and exposing the failures of a homophobic justice system that allowed Gacy’s crimes to continue for so long.

The hosts debate the show’s time jumps, reflect on the haunting realism of its cinematography, and explore why this series feels more Mindhunter and Dahmer than Ed Gein.

Highlights Breakdown:

- A Victim-Centric Masterpiece: Discover why this series stands head and shoulders above other serial killer dramatisations (looking at you, Monster: The Ed Gein Story!) by placing the victims, their families, and the lasting trauma at the forefront.

- The Performance of a Monster: Our take on Michael Chernus's terrifyingly accurate portrayal of Gacy, capturing his chilling instant switch from charismatic public figure to menacing killer.

- Gritty 70s Authenticity: How the show’s raw, unglamorous style and clever editing choices create a gripping and respectful tone, reminiscent of fan-favourites like Mindhunter and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

- Societal Failures Exposed: A deep dive into the homophobia and systemic police failures that allowed Gacy to prey on marginalised young men for far too long.

- The Final Verdict: Is the series flawless? We discuss the pros and cons, including some divisive time-jumping narrative choices in the later episodes.

Whether you’re fascinated by true crime or drawn to stories that confront the darkest corners of humanity, this episode delivers a gripping, reflective discussion about this heavy but essential watch for true crime aficionados.

Tune in for a spoiler-filled review that explores the real monster behind the makeup.

This week’s episode is brought to you by

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Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy Review