'Death by Lightning' Review: A Forgotten President, a Deranged Assassin, and the Politics of Power (Netflix)

'Death by Lightning' Review: A Forgotten President, a Deranged Assassin, and the Politics of Power

This miniseries explores the 1881 assassination of President James A. Garfield by intertwining the stories of the idealistic president and his disturbed assassin.

Historical Context of Presidential Assassinations

In nearly 250 years of American history, four presidents have been assassinated:

Abraham Lincoln in 1865
John F. Kennedy
William McKinley in 1901, killed during his second term, which had significant political consequences
James A. Garfield in 1881, whose assassination is often seen as a historical footnote

Miniseries Overview

Death by Lightning presents this overlooked episode of U.S. history in four engaging episodes, which could almost pass for a single, tightly edited feature film. Created by Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and directed by Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic), who is also an actor, the show traces two parallel stories:

The rise and presidency of James A. Garfield, portrayed by Michael Shannon
The unraveling and desperate actions of Charles Guiteau, his assassin, played by Matthew Macfadyen

"There’s a fourth [presidential assassination], which, as one character in this story puts it, ended up as a mere footnote in history."

Creative Team

Mike Makowsky brings his writing prowess, while Matt Ross directs the full series, blending their visions to revive a nearly forgotten moment in American political history.

Cast Highlights

Michael Shannon as President James A. Garfield
Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau

Author's Summary: The miniseries Death by Lightning compellingly sheds light on James A. Garfield's overlooked assassination, tracing the fateful intersect of an idealistic leader and his deranged killer.

Micropsia — 2025-11-06