‘Death by Lightning’ offers a surprising story about an assassinated president gone too soon

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The new Netflix documentary, “Death By Lightning,” which premieres Thursday, tells the story of two largely forgotten men. While most people today know James A. Garfield as one of the four U.S. presidents who were assassinated, Charles Guiteau – his assassin – is far less remembered. Though there are other obscure presidents and more famous assassins, this story offers a surprising and inherently dramatic narrative. The film also feels particularly relevant today, exploring themes of civil rights, the gap between rich and poor, and the problems of political favoritism and corruption.

The story of James Garfield is deeply tragic—not just for his family, but for the country as a whole. Evidence from sources like Candice Millard’s book, “Destiny of the Republic,” and the documentary “Murder of a President,” suggests that Garfield, who served only 200 days as president, had the potential to be a highly effective leader. His assassination cut short a promising presidency, representing a significant loss for the nation.

The Ohio congressman didn’t initially want to run for president, but was chosen as a compromise candidate after 36 ballots at the 1880 Republican National Convention. He’d actually given a speech there nominating someone else, Treasury Secretary John Sherman. This unusual path, and his modest personality – he wasn’t motivated by personal ambition – made him uniquely suited for the role. He believed he had a chance to address deep problems within the country, particularly the continued oppression of Black citizens, a key focus of his inaugural address and a message he repeated during a campaign speech to a crowd of 50,000 in New York City. He famously told a group of Black veterans who visited his home – a campaign stop for some 20,000 people – that he’d rather lose with their support than win without it.

Ignoring the political complexities, the story, told over two years in four parts, is surprisingly straightforward. It alternates between James Garfield (played by Michael Shannon) and John Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), a troubled man with inflated ambitions, as they head toward the infamous day of the assassination. Garfield is presented as a genuinely good man – we first see him at home, cooking for his family and building a picnic table (a table that will reappear later). Guiteau, meanwhile, constantly fails at various ventures, living off stolen money and avoiding bills, and repeatedly lies about his life. He eventually decides to pursue politics, believing he was instrumental in Garfield’s election and therefore deserves a position – ideally, ambassador to France. When his expectations aren’t met, he becomes resentful. Driven by what he believes is a divine message and a desire to save the country, he sets out to commit murder.

The show really shines because of its lead actors. Shannon perfectly captures James Garfield as a serious man with warmth and a good sense of humor, while Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau as someone dangerously committed to his own fantasies, always on the verge of losing control. Beyond them, the show boasts a strong supporting cast. Betty Gilpin, appearing in her fourth major series this year, plays Garfield’s politically savvy and outspoken wife, Crete. Shea Whigham is excellent as Roscoe Conkling, a powerful New York senator who serves as the series’ antagonist – unless you see Guiteau as simply mentally unwell, like the historical jury did. Bradley Whitford brings a believable, understated authority to his role as Maine Senator James Blaine, drawing on his experience playing a White House insider in “The West Wing.” All the male actors sport facial hair to accurately reflect their historical counterparts.

Unlike most of the characters, including Guiteau, Nick Offerman’s portrayal of Chester A. Arthur undergoes a significant transformation. Initially, Arthur, a close ally of Conkling and head of the New York Customs House – a vital source of national revenue – is offered the vice presidency as a political maneuver to secure votes in New York. He starts as a rough, indulgent figure, indulging in cigars, sausage, and alcohol, but circumstances and the potential to become president force him to confront his own character and change.

When First Lady Lucretia Garfield expressed concern about her husband’s safety, President Garfield famously replied that assassination, like death by lightning, is something you can’t really protect against – and shouldn’t dwell on. This sentiment gives the series its title and explains its meaning. The show depicts how easily Guiteau, Garfield’s eventual assassin, was able to access areas that would now be heavily guarded, and includes scenes – some likely fictionalized – of him interacting with Lucretia, James Blaine, a tipsy Chester Arthur, and Garfield himself, repeatedly asking how he too could achieve greatness.

While the series isn’t perfect – it sometimes relies on dramatic flair and states the obvious – it’s remarkably convincing as a historical drama, both in grand scenes and small details. It rarely feels like a modern TV show pretending to be the 19th century. The production design is effective, particularly in its detailed recreations of late 1800s Chicago and Washington, which avoid looking overly artificial. The first episode, depicting the 1880 convention in Chicago’s Interstate Exposition Building, is especially impressive. It closely matches historical engravings and vividly brings the event to life, making the political maneuvering and speeches feel authentic.

Knowing how the story ends makes the series difficult to watch, particularly when Garfield is shown suffering and being poorly treated by his doctor, Willard Bliss (Zeljko Ivanek). Bliss disregards the sound advice of Dr. Charles Purvis (Shaun Parkes), the first African American doctor to care for a president. Many, including those close to Garfield, suspected Bliss caused his death through unsanitary practices, believing Garfield could have recovered if left undisturbed – a theory the series seems to confirm.

But you can’t change history, as much as “Death By Lightning” makes you wish you could.

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2025-11-06 11:31