Death by Lightning Review: A Forgotten President, a Deranged Assassin, and the Politics of Power
The Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning explores the 1881 assassination of President James A. Garfield, following the intertwined paths of the idealistic leader and his unbalanced killer, Charles Guiteau. The show portrays Garfield as a man of conviction portrayed by Michael Shannon, while Matthew Macfadyen captures Guiteau’s delusional ambitions.
Throughout nearly 250 years of American history, only four presidents have been assassinated. Two are deeply ingrained in public memory — Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and John F. Kennedy in 1963 — inspiring countless books, films, and TV portrayals. William McKinley’s 1901 assassination, while significant, is less discussed, remembered mostly for its political fallout. But James A. Garfield’s death, described by one character as "a mere footnote in history," stands as the least explored of all four tragedies.
"A mere footnote in history."
This is the forgotten story that Death by Lightning seeks to revive. Told across four compelling episodes, the series manages to merge historical depth with strong dramatic tension. Created by Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and directed by Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic), the miniseries could easily have functioned as a tightly edited feature film, yet benefits from its episodic format by giving space to both Garfield’s reformist rise and Guiteau’s descent into madness.
Production and Historical Context
- Created by Mike Makowsky, known for Bad Education.
- Directed by Matt Ross, recognized for Captain Fantastic and his acting career.
- Focuses on the early 1880s, highlighting contrasting ambitions that converge in tragedy.
Author’s Summary
Through vivid performances and sharp direction, Death by Lightning restores James A. Garfield’s overlooked story, revealing how power and delusion collided in a forgotten corner of American history.