Death by Lightning Series Review: A Riveting Political Tragedy Brought to Life

Picture Credit: Netflix

With hits like Game of Thrones and Netflix’s 3 Body Problem already under their belt, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are now turning their attention to a long-overlooked political tragedy. In their new Netflix series Death by Lightning, which they produce with creator and showrunner Mike Makowsky, there are no epic battles or CGI dragons, just plenty of political intrigue centered around the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield and his delusional killer, Charles Guiteau.

Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) steps into the shoes of Garfield, a man fighting to bring some sense of order and justice to a political world drowning in corruption and inflated egos. Opposite him, Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) delivers a chilling performance as Charles Guiteau, a failed lawyer and self-proclaimed visionary whose desperate need for recognition pushes him further and further into madness.

The tension between these two men forms the beating heart of the series. Shannon’s Garfield is rational and principled; Macfadyen’s Guiteau is chaotic, narcissistic, and both tragic and darkly comic. Macfadyen, in particular, is mesmerizing to watch. Manic and terrifying at once.

Nick Offerman, best known from Parks and Recreation, surprises as Vice President Chester A. Arthur. He plays him with a mix of doubt and discomfort. His scenes with Shannon rank among the show’s finest moments.

Death by Lightning runs for just four episodes (212 minutes in total), and honestly, that feels perfect. It starts slowly, but by the final episode, the pace has increased significantly. Even with that shift, the show never loses its grip. Given its short runtime, it’s lean and deliberate, with every moment counting. Every silence feels thick with tension, and every conversation crackles like a duel between reason and power. When the assassination finally happens, it’s not some sudden shock. It’s the slow, inevitable impact you’ve felt building from the very start.

The title comes from Garfield himself: “Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning,” he said two weeks after taking office. The line proved hauntingly prophetic; less than a year later, he was shot by Guiteau and ultimately died from the medical blunders that followed. The series depicts suffering with chilling precision. The 19th-century setting feels completely real: dusty, claustrophobic, and soaked in the hypocrisy of its politics.

Based on Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, Death by Lightning is far more than just the story of a president and his assassin. Showrunner Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) uses it as a sharp, unsettling lens on an America teetering on the edge, a nation caught between idealism and corruption, reform and ruthless power struggles. But don’t worry, it’s never dry or overly serious. There’s plenty of dark humor running through it, especially in Guiteau’s desperate, awkward attempts to be taken seriously.

Anyone expecting another Game of Thrones is in for a surprise, but given who’s behind the show, there’s HBO excellence here. Death by Lightning isn’t a spectacle; it’s a political nightmare unfolding in slow motion. A battle between principles and madness, wrapped in brilliantly written dialogue. Yet its impact is just as powerful. Thanks to restrained direction, phenomenal performances by Shannon and Macfadyen in particular, and a near-tangible historical atmosphere, this stands among the best Netflix releases of the year.

Watch Death By Lightning if you liked:

• John Adams (2008)
• Lincoln (2012)
• The Crown (2016)
• Franklin (2024)
• Manhunt (2024)

Verdict on Death by Lightning

It won’t be a show for everyone. It moves slowly, it’s deliberate, and it doesn’t care about keeping things easy. But if you’re into political history, psychological drama, and knockout performances, Death by Lightning is an absolute must-watch. It’s a sharp reminder that the deadliest storms usually start with the tiniest sparks.

Death by Lightning is now streaming on Netflix.