‘Death by Lightning’ Review: A Forgotten President and a Deranged Assassin
The Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning explores the 1881 assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield through the intertwined paths of the idealistic leader and his unstable killer, Charles Guiteau. Starring Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Guiteau, the show revisits one of America’s lesser-known tragedies with both intensity and empathy.
A Lost Chapter in U.S. History
Across nearly two and a half centuries of American history, four presidents have been assassinated. Most people recall the dramatic deaths of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and John F. Kennedy in 1963, both deeply etched into the nation’s memory. William McKinley’s killing in 1901 still carries political weight. Yet, as one character in the series remarks, Garfield’s assassination “became little more than a footnote in history.”
“Became little more than a footnote in history.”
Storytelling and Direction
Created by Mike Makowsky, known for Bad Education, and directed by Matt Ross, recognized from Captain Fantastic, the four-part series reconstructs the forgotten episode with a keen sense of pace and human complexity. Each episode draws viewers into the moral and psychological contrasts between the dignified president and his delusional attacker.
A Blend of History and Drama
Through its vivid portrayal of ambition, delusion, and politics, the series not only resurrects Garfield’s story but also reflects on how society shapes and sometimes forgets its leaders. Though it could have functioned as a single film with some trimming, the four-episode format allows room for strong performances and historical depth.
Conclusion
Death by Lightning transforms a nearly forgotten episode from the past into a compelling meditation on power, fate, and memory.
Author’s Summary: The series deftly revives the overlooked tragedy of President Garfield’s assassination, balancing psychological insight with a haunting sense of historical loss.