Death by Lightning movie review (2025)

Death by Lightning Movie Review (2025) | Roger Ebert

Death by Lightning follows a mostly straightforward timeline, punctuated by a few well-timed flashbacks that enrich the narrative.

“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, responding to concerns about threats to his life.

The Netflix historical drama mini-series begins with a striking image: a human brain in a jar lying on the floor as Sly and the Family Stone’s Everyday People plays on the radio. The scene takes place in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum, where a crew is packing a warehouse filled with artifacts. When the brain jar rolls onto the floor, a worker asks, “Who the f*** is Charles Guiteau?”

This question highlights how little-known Guiteau is compared to other presidential assassins. While most people recognize names like John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald, few remember Guiteau, who shot President James A. Garfield at a Washington train station on July 2, 1881. Garfield died from his wounds 79 days later. Similarly, even notorious failed assassins like Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme and John Hinckley Jr. are more familiar names than Guiteau or Leon Czolgosz, who assassinated President William McKinley.

Context of the Story

Focuses on Charles Guiteau, a delusional assassin largely forgotten by history.
Explores lesser-known presidential assassinations and attempts.
Mixes historical facts with cinematic storytelling.

Memorable Opening

The choice of Sly and the Family Stone’s Everyday People sets a contrasting tone, merging 1960s culture with 19th-century tragedy.

Final Thought

Death by Lightning sheds light on forgotten historical figures, offering a compelling look at assassination and the tenuous grip on presidential security.

“Who the f*** is Charles Guiteau?”

Author’s summary: This series revives obscure historical assassins, blending suspense with history to reveal overlooked chapters of presidential tragedy.

Roger Ebert — 2025-11-06