Death by Lightning Review — Truncated Political Drama Lacks Substance

Despite featuring a star-studded cast, Death by Lightning falls short of greatness because the script offers little engaging material for the actors. The series centers on President James Garfield, a modest Ohio senator who rises to power before being assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a former admirer.

Historical narratives like this one have strong potential for prestige television—you need only look at Apple TV’s underrated thriller Manhunt as an example. However, this miniseries simply does not deliver on that promise.

Issues with Pacing and Storytelling

The main problem with Death by Lightning is its rushed pacing. The story is compressed into just four episodes, with two running less than 45 minutes. This condensed format makes the show feel like a mere summary of events, akin to an adaptation of a Wikipedia article.

Creator Mike Makowsky appears more focused on retelling historical facts—which are less familiar to many viewers—rather than delving into the deeper emotional and psychological layers of the story.

"It feels incredibly rushed, like an adaptation of a Wikipedia article."

"Creator Mike Makowsky seems content with simply recounting these historical events rather than exploring the more interior aspects of the story."

Summary

The limited runtime and surface-level script prevent Death by Lightning from elevating its intriguing historical premise into compelling drama.

Author’s Takeaway

This miniseries misses the chance to deeply explore a compelling historical tale, delivering instead a hurried recount that doesn’t fully engage.

FandomWire — 2025-11-06