Netflix’s Assassination Drama ‘Death by Lightning’ Review
Netflix’s new limited series “Death by Lightning” is a political thriller portraying the life and assassination of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. It is adapted from Candice Millard’s 2011 book Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President.
Series Background and Creators
Created by Mike Makowsky, known for “Bad Education,” and executive produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss of “Game of Thrones” fame, the four-part series serves both as a historical tribute and a warning from the past.
Opening Scene and Setting
“Death by Lightning opens in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum. Workers are startled when a jar tumbles out of a dusty box and rolls onto the ground. Upon analyzing it, they realize it’s the brain of Charles J. Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and had been tucked away on a shelf for nearly a century.”
The story then flashes back to 1880, introducing Charles Guiteau as he finishes a jail sentence for false pretenses and evading arrest. Meanwhile, in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield (played by Michael Shannon) is called from his family farm to attend the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
Main Characters
- James Garfield: 20th President of the United States and Civil War veteran.
- Charles Guiteau: The man who assassinates Garfield, shown with complexity and detail.
Summary
“Death by Lightning” offers a gripping and thoughtful look at an often overlooked chapter of American history, blending political intrigue with personal drama.
Author’s summary: The series vividly retells President Garfield’s story and his assassin’s life, delivering a sharp political thriller grounded in rich historical detail.