‘Death by Lightning’ Review
Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen Lead Netflix’s Presidential Assassination Thriller
Death by Lightning is a four-part drama exploring the assassination of President James Garfield. Executive producers include Weiss, with notable cast members Betty Gilpin and Nick Offerman.
“For Stephen Sondheim fans, prolonged exposure to Death by Lightning may result in uncontrollable singing of the entirety of Assassins. Do not watch if you are allergic to Assassins. Possible side effects may include Sweeney Todd or Company.”
Despite Netflix's limited reputation for artistic risk, it is surprising that this series is available at all. Given recent trends, platforms like Apple might have either hidden the series or offered it little promotion alongside numerous other star-studded but overlooked shows.
Similar to Sondheim’s Assassins and last year’s Manhunt, Death by Lightning delves into political violence, depicting assassination attempts and their troubled perpetrators as a dark contrast to the ideals of the American Dream. The series aims to expose a unique form of celebrity surrounding these figures.
Creator Mike Makowsky, adapting Candice Millard’s acclaimed Destiny of the Republic, navigates this complex and provocative subject with relative assurance. However, after almost three episodes focused primarily on introducing Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Charles J., the pace feels somewhat rushed.
Summary
Death by Lightning is a gripping yet occasionally hurried political thriller that thoughtfully examines the dark side of American history through the lens of presidential assassination.