Death by Lightning is a new four-episode miniseries now streaming on Netflix. Created by Mike Makowsky and directed by Matt Ross, the series stars Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham. It tells the story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America’s 20th president—and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him.

Surprisingly, the show seems to have arrived with little marketing fanfare, which is unfortunate given its stellar cast. The involvement of such strong performers immediately caught my attention when I was browsing Netflix’s upcoming releases. With only four episodes, it promised to be an easy watch—though I suspected that might come at the cost of depth. In the end, that feeling proved true to an extent, yet it’s still impressive how much the series manages to achieve with only four episodes.

The show is an acting showcase from start to finish. The sheer caliber of talent assembled here speaks to the potential everyone must have seen in the project—this kind of ensemble is rare these days. Between Death by Lightning and Nuremberg, it’s great to see Michael Shannon continuing to take on fascinating historical figures. While the entire cast delivers strong performances, it’s Matthew Macfadyen who ultimately steals the show with a fearless, commanding turn that serves as a solid reminder of why he’s an Emmy Award winner.

Despite running only four episodes, the series leaves a strong impression with its sharp, stylish execution. From the opening moments, set to Hanni El Khatib’s “You Rascal You,” it establishes a playful, modern energy that sets it apart from traditional historical dramas. The fast-paced editing injects humor and inventiveness throughout, giving the show a distinctive rhythm that makes it effortlessly bingeable and surprisingly memorable.

Thematically, Death by Lightning finds purpose in revisiting a story largely forgotten by history. In many ways, the events it portrays still echo in the political landscape we see today. The series also offers insight into those who crave attention but fail to earn it—a timeless commentary on ambition and obscurity. While the show ensures we understand who these figures were, it also makes clear why they’ve faded from public memory.

Even within its brief four-episode run, the series impressively spans a wide scope of history. Thanks to the strength and commitment of its cast, it’s impossible not to feel invested in their journeys. I especially appreciated how the finale brings everything together; without giving anything away, it closes on a note that feels both fitting and resonant, showing how each character ultimately matters. Of the ensemble, I found Nick Offerman’s arc the most relatable and emotionally grounded.

That said, limiting the series to only four episodes is its biggest shortcoming—and it ultimately brings my overall impression down a bit. A show like this deserves more time and attention to detail. Given how much realism is already embedded in the performances, production design, and costumes, restricting it to such a short format feels like a disservice to the story. In the end, the condensed structure makes the pacing and character development feel rushed, when the material clearly warranted more breathing room.

The dialogue also leans a bit too heavily on its themes. Even when the show’s ideas are clear, the writing sometimes feels the need to spell them out for the audience. At times, this undercuts the realism, tipping the tone toward something more cinematic and theatrical. There’s a particular late-game sequence filled with dialogue that could have been pared down—or even removed entirely—to make the moment more powerful.

Overall, Death by Lightning leaves a memorable impression as a bingeable and highly entertaining series. However, its four-episode format leaves certain storylines underdeveloped, and some of the dialogue occasionally feels lacking in realism. That said, even within this brief runtime, the show is worth watching for its performances alone—particularly Matthew Macfadyen, who delivers a show-stealing turn.

VERDICT: 3.5/5 (Pretty Good)