Jason Moss (played by Jesse Moss, no relation),a college student attending UNLV, corresponds with serial killer John Wayne Gacy (William Forsythe),convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys, while on death row. They get closer and closer to each other... and each getting inside the other's head.

This film was very highly anticipated by me. I had actually corresponded with many (31) serial killers from 2001-2003, and was familiar with Moss' book. I had found it to be full of ego-stroking and gross exaggerations. Other reviews I read seemed to agree with me, and I was frankly disappointed that Moss went on to intern with the Secret Service, as I felt he was a hack. I hoped the film would correct some of this.

The film was developed with screenwriter Kellie Madison (her first script) and producer Clark Peterson ("Monster") along with interaction from Moss, at least up until his suicide on 6/6/06. They got permission from his widow, Charlotte, to go ahead, and made the film as we can see it today. Personally, I think they did a brilliant job. Some of the scenes (with the male hooker and the final confrontation, for example) are probably dubious, but they relate to the book. So, as far as adaptations go, it is pretty strong.

I had the pleasure to speak with Barry Boschelli, a lifelong friend of John Wayne Gacy, before seeing this film. You can see some clips of Barry in the special features. He not only told me some great stories about Gacy (which you can read in his book),but praised William Forsythe for his accuracy in the portrayal of Gacy. If Barry says Forsythe was great, who am I to argue? I thought so, too, and it seems to be supported.

I hope this movie brings more light to the life of Jason Moss. I would like to see a biography of him. What did his brother, parents and wife think of his adventures? His girlfriend in the film... was she a real person? Did his professor find this accurate? Menard prison? What more can be learned about his suicide and the date he chose to kill himself?

I would recommend this film, without a doubt, for anyone who read the book, whether you enjoyed it or not. I would also recommend it for any fan or student of John Wayne Gacy. The accuracy is debatable, but I think the film is a valuable piece that deserves to be in your library. And any fan of William Forsythe... he does not get the credit he deserves often enough. This may be his stand-out role.

Jason Moss (Jesse Moss) is a normal college kid. Serial killer John Wayne Gacy is appealing his conviction, and Jason wants to do a paper on him. Jason starts to do research. Then he exchange letters and phone calls. He begins to change and becomes more than just a pen pal. More and more he's becoming a protégé and his next victim.

Jesse Moss is a reasonable actor who could be an everyday college student. The pace is slow due to the fact that the kid and Gacy don't go face to face until close to the end. When that meeting occurs, the intensity goes off the charts. William Forsythe is incredibly creepy and threatening. That one scene makes up for the rest of the movie.

I caught this late at night on the Horror Channel so I wasn't expecting much, but DEAR MR GACY turns out to be an interesting little story about the real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy. The film, playing out as a dark and psychological thriller, is based on a non-fiction book that tells the story of a college student who decides to research the killer for his end-of-year assignment. This requires him getting in touch with Gacy, an act which begins a sinister relationship.

DEAR MR GACY is a surprisingly mature handling of the material which offers a look into the dark psychology of a killer. Thankfully it eschews needless gore sequences - viscerally, it's a relatively tame production - in favour of some truly uncomfortable moments as the killer draws close to what will become his "last victim". The film benefits immensely from an excellent turn from William Forsythe, who turned from a B-movie kind of actor in the 1990s to a dark, imposing presence more recently (check out his work in BOARDWALK EMPIRE if you're a fan of him here). Jesse Moss is also a revelation as the student who quickly finds himself getting out of his depth. DEAR MR GACY is well worth checking out for those of us with an interest in the darker side of human nature.