Death by Lightning movie review (2025)

The mini-series "Death by Lightning" unfolds in a clear, straightforward timeline, interrupted only by several thoughtful flashbacks that help enrich the story. It opens with a striking scene: a brain in a jar resting on the floor while Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" fills the airwaves, immediately setting a memorable tone.

Historical Context and Opening Scene

The story begins in 1969 inside what was then known as the Army Medical Museum. A team of workers is packing up historical artifacts when a dusty glass jar containing a human brain rolls onto the floor. One of the workers inspects it and bluntly asks, “Who the f*** is Charles Guiteau?”

Exploring Forgotten History

The question highlights the obscurity of Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated President James A. Garfield in 1881. While names like John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald are well remembered, Guiteau remains a nearly forgotten figure. He fatally shot Garfield at a train station in Washington on July 2, 1881, and the president died from his injuries 79 days later. Few recall him today, even though his crime profoundly impacted the nation.

“Assassination can be no more guarded against than death by lightning, and it’s best not to worry about either.” — President-elect James A. Garfield in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman

Final Thoughts

The Netflix historical drama reframes history with style and poignancy, weaving a forgotten tragedy into a compelling modern narrative that connects the 19th century with contemporary curiosity about fame, delusion, and fate.

Author’s summary: A sharp and unsettling historical drama that revives a forgotten chapter of American history through confident storytelling and haunting imagery.

Roger Ebert — 2025-11-05