'Death by Lightning' Review: A Forgotten President, a Deranged Assassin, and the Politics of Power (Netflix)
This miniseries explores the 1881 assassination of President James A. Garfield by intertwining the lives of the idealistic president (played by Michael Shannon) and his delusional assassin, Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen).
Context of Presidential Assassinations in American History
In nearly 250 years of American history, four presidents have been assassinated. Two, Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and John F. Kennedy, are widely remembered and immortalized in numerous books, films, and TV shows. Another president, William McKinley, was killed in 1901 during his second term, with serious political consequences. The fourth, James A. Garfield, is often forgotten and considered a mere footnote in history, as one character in the miniseries notes.
Miniseries Overview
Death by Lightning revives this overlooked chapter through four gripping episodes. Created by Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and directed entirely by Matt Ross (known for Captain Fantastic and his acting career), the series follows two converging stories: Garfield’s ascent to the presidency and Guiteau’s strange, desperate path to committing the assassination in the early 1880s.
"This riveting new miniseries revisits the 1881 killing of James A. Garfield through the intersecting lives of the idealistic president and his delusional assassin."
"There’s a fourth, which, as one character in this story puts it, ended up as a mere footnote in history."
Creative Team
- Creator: Mike Makowsky (Bad Education)
- Director: Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic, actor)
- Main cast: Michael Shannon (James A. Garfield), Matthew Macfadyen (Charles Guiteau)
Format and Style
The miniseries could nearly function as a feature film with minor editing, blending historical fact with dramatic storytelling to shed light on this lesser-known assassination.
Author's summary: The miniseries 'Death by Lightning' compellingly uncovers the overlooked assassination of President Garfield, blending historical depth with intense character study.