Review: 'Death by Lightning' Offers a Surprising Story About an Assassinated President Gone Too Soon
Netflix's four-part miniseries, based on Candice Millard's nonfiction book, tells the little-known story of President James A. Garfield. “Death By Lightning,” premiering Thursday on Netflix, introduces itself as “a story about two men the world forgot.” While few in 2025 may recognize the name Charles Guiteau, many will know Garfield, one of only four assassinated American presidents.
There are presidents less remembered—does the name John Tyler ring a bell?—and assassins better known than Guiteau. However, a docudrama benefits from a story both surprising and featuring a built-in murder mystery. The series, likely intentionally, addresses themes relevant to today: civil rights, income inequality, cronyism, and corruption.
The Garfield story is deeply dramatic—a tragedy affecting not only his family but the entire nation. The sense conveyed by “Death by Lightning” and the historical record it portrays is that Garfield, killed after only 200 days in office, might have been an exceptionally capable president.
“Death By Lightning,” premiering Thursday on Netflix, introduces itself as “a story about two men the world forgot.”
“The sense one gets from ‘Death by Lightning’ and from the historical record it fairly represents, is that Garfield, killed after only 200 days in office, might have made a very good chief executive.”
Author's summary: This miniseries shines light on the overlooked tragedy of President Garfield’s short tenure, highlighting its relevance to current societal issues.