‘Death by Lightning’ Review: Netflix’s Presidential Assassination Thriller
Executive producers Weiss lead the four-part James Garfield drama, featuring performances by Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Betty Gilpin, and Nick Offerman.
“For Stephen Sondheim fans, prolonged exposure to Death by Lightning may result in uncontrollable singing of the entirety of Assassins. Do not watch if you are allergic to Assassins. Possible side effects may include Sweeney Todd or Company.”
Despite the challenges streaming platforms have recently shown in promoting controversial content, it is somewhat surprising that Death by Lightning is available on Netflix. Unlike Apple’s tendency to bury such content—as seen with The Savant—Netflix has given this series some space, though it remains somewhat under the radar.
Similar to Sondheim’s Assassins and the previous year’s Manhunt, this four-episode series examines political violence through the lens of assassination attempts and the troubled individuals behind them. It portrays these acts as a decayed counterpart to the American Dream’s higher ideals, revealing a disturbing brand of celebrity.
Creator Mike Makowsky, adapting Candice Millard’s well-regarded Destiny of the Republic, tackles this provocative subject with measured assurance. However, the pacing feels uneven, spending almost three episodes mainly setting up Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Charles J.
Summary
Death by Lightning offers a gripping but slightly hurried look at political assassination, blending strong performances with a challenging exploration of American history and fame’s darker side.