Netflix’s Death by Lightning is a bold historical drama that resurrects one of America’s most underexplored tragedies — the shocking assassination of President James Garfield. Adapted from Candice Millard’s acclaimed Destiny of the Republic and brought to life by creator Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) alongside Game of Thrones executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the four-part limited series weaves an intense narrative of ambition, madness, and political decay. While rich in atmosphere and anchored by stellar performances, the series occasionally falters under the weight of its own ambition.
Story
Opening with a macabre 1969 discovery — the preserved brain of Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen) — the story pivots back to the late 1800s. Here, two contrasting journeys unfold: Garfield’s reluctant ascent from Civil War veteran to President (portrayed by Michael Shannon), and Guiteau’s spiral into self-delusion.
Garfield’s rise at the Republican National Convention is unexpected, yet his presidency quickly becomes a crusade for progress, inclusivity, and political reform. Opposite him, Guiteau’s desperate yearning for validation spirals into a fatal obsession, culminating in a tragic shooting at a Washington, D.C., train station just months into Garfield’s term.
Performances
Michael Shannon delivers a dignified and deeply human portrayal of Garfield, embodying the quiet resilience of a leader determined to heal a fractured nation. Macfadyen, riding high after Succession, is magnetic as Guiteau — a performance that teeters between unsettling mania and pitiable vulnerability.
However, the emphasis on Guiteau’s mental unraveling occasionally overshadows other notable performances. Betty Gilpin (as First Lady Crete Garfield) and Nick Offerman (as Vice President Chester Arthur) bring depth to their roles but are left with limited scenes to shine.
Behind the Scenes
Director Matt Ross and Makowsky craft a slow-burn political thriller that feels eerily relevant to contemporary issues. The meticulous production design and period details immerse viewers in the corruption, moral decline, and bureaucratic stagnation of the era. Despite this, the pacing suffers when too much time is spent exploring Guiteau’s psyche, diluting the emotional resonance of Garfield’s fight for reform. A tighter narrative focus could have elevated the series to greatness.
Final Verdict
Death by Lightning is a visually striking and thematically potent Netflix drama that examines the collision of ambition and madness against the backdrop of America’s turbulent political past. Though uneven in pacing, its craftsmanship, haunting tone, and powerhouse lead performances make it essential viewing for fans of historical storytelling. History buffs will find much to admire, even if it’s not the adrenaline rush some might expect.
