Review: "Death by Lightning" Offers a Surprising Story About an Assassinated President Gone Too Soon
The four-part Netflix miniseries, adapted from Candice Millard’s nonfiction book, explores the little-known story of President James A. Garfield. The series is narrated with an automated voice and focuses on the tragic and overlooked chapters of American history.
“Death By Lightning,” premiering Thursday on Netflix, introduces itself as “a story about two men the world forgot.”
Few people in 2025 may recognize the name Charles Guiteau, Garfield’s assassin, though many still remember Garfield as one of only four U.S. presidents who were assassinated. While there are presidents far less known—John Tyler, for instance—and more infamous killers than Guiteau, the choice of story brings a fresh and gripping angle to the historical docudrama genre.
The show’s relevance feels intentional, touching on wider issues such as civil rights, income inequality, cronyism, and corruption. Garfield’s story carries natural drama—a national tragedy not only for his family but also for a country poised for change under his leadership.
Both the documentary and the historical record suggest that Garfield, who served only 200 days before his death, might have become a strong and capable president had he lived longer.
Author’s Summary
The Netflix miniseries artfully revives James A. Garfield’s brief presidency, weaving a forgotten assassination into a broader reflection on justice, inequality, and lost potential.