Netflix drama Death by Lightning a reminder that character and craft are at the core of good storytelling

Death by Lightning landed on Netflix recently and it is one of those series that sneaks up on you. It is a four-part historical drama about the rise and fall of American president James Garfield — commander-in-chief for just seven months in 1881 — and the unravelling mind of his assassin Charles Guiteau. It could easily have been a dry history lesson, but instead it feels strangely human, steady and surprisingly emotional in parts. The performances carry the weight of the story. Michael Shannon brings Garfield to life with a quiet dignity that suits the era, and Matthew Macfadyen gives Guiteau that unnerving mix of charm, delusion and desperation. The show leans into the details of the time. Politics powered by favours, backroom loyalty and a public hungry for change. In a way it reflects our own times more than we might like to admit. It is not a fast series. There are moments where the pace slows and you feel it catching its breath, but it earns that approach. The slower scenes help the characters breathe and give the audience time to take in the world around them. The atmosphere is rich and the story has a weight to it that lingers after each episode ends. You do not get many shows like that anymore, at least not ones made with this much care. The only real drawback is that the subject matter feels a long way from everyday Australian life. It takes a bit of patience to settle into the American political landscape of the 1880s and the short run time means a few threads feel like they deserved more space. But once you are in, the story holds you. Death by Lightning is thoughtful, steady and quietly gripping. It is not a blockbuster and it is not trying to be. It is a reminder that good storytelling comes from character and craft. For viewers who enjoy something grounded and sincere this is well worth the time. Verdict: 4/5