Gaslit Christian Review
Watergate. Even if you’re not a history buff, you’ve probably heard the term a million times—whispered in scandal, shouted in political arguments, or casually referenced as shorthand for corruption. It’s been dissected, dramatized, and debated endlessly. So, what could a show like Gaslit bring to the table? Plenty, as it turns out. Robbie Pickering’s limited series doesn’t just retell history; it drags it into the spotlight, dusts off its forgotten players, and asks us to think about what it all means today. And for Christians, it’s a story that’s as much about human frailty and courage as it is about power and politics.
Martha Mitchell: Loud, Proud, and Unbowed
Let’s start with Martha Mitchell, the undeniable heart of Gaslit. Played with fiery intensity by Julia Roberts, Martha is the kind of character who refuses to be ignored. She’s sharp, outspoken, and, at times, exhausting—but she’s also deeply principled. The wife of John Mitchell, Nixon’s Attorney General, Martha isn’t content to sit quietly in the background while her husband helps orchestrate a political cover-up. She sees the truth, and she speaks it, even when it costs her dearly.
As Christians, we often celebrate truth-tellers, those who risk everything to stand against corruption and injustice. Martha’s journey echoes the biblical prophets who called out wrongdoing, often at great personal cost. But Gaslit doesn’t sugarcoat her story. Martha is messy, complicated, and flawed. She drinks too much, talks too loud, and rubs people the wrong way. Yet, isn’t that true of so many of us? God doesn’t choose perfect people to do His work; He works through the imperfect. Watching Martha’s fiery determination reminds us that speaking truth often means standing alone (Isaiah 1:17), and it’s rarely comfortable.
Power, Pride, and the Fall
If Martha is the conscience of the story, the men around her represent everything wrong with unchecked power. John Mitchell, played almost unrecognizably by Sean Penn, is torn between his loyalty to his wife and his allegiance to Nixon. It’s a losing battle, and his eventual betrayal of Martha feels as inevitable as it is heartbreaking. Then there’s G. Gordon Liddy (Shea Whigham), a man so committed to his delusions of grandeur that he becomes a grotesque caricature of loyalty gone wrong.
What makes these characters so compelling—and so unsettling—is how ordinary their flaws are. Pride, ambition, and fear of losing status drive their actions, not some grand evil scheme. And that’s what makes Gaslit hit so hard. It’s easy to look at the Watergate conspirators and think, I’d never do that. But would we? The Bible warns us about the seductive nature of power and pride (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6), and Gaslit shows how quickly good intentions can crumble under their weight.
Women’s Voices, Silenced and Ignored
One of the most powerful threads in Gaslit is its critique of how women like Martha Mitchell were treated. Here’s a woman who knew the truth about Watergate before anyone else, but instead of being celebrated, she was dismissed as a drunk, a gossip, a hysterical wife. The media mocked her. The men around her conspired to silence her. Even her husband chose his career over standing by her side.
For Christians, this is a painful reminder of how often we fail to honor the image of God in others, particularly women. The Bible teaches that men and women are created equally in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), yet history—and sadly, even the church—has often treated women’s voices as less valuable. Watching Martha’s struggle is both infuriating and convicting. How often do we dismiss or diminish those who challenge the status quo?
Laughing Through the Pain
Here’s the thing about Gaslit: it’s funny. Darkly, absurdly funny. The show leans into the ridiculousness of the Watergate scandal, from Liddy’s unhinged antics to the sheer incompetence of the conspirators. The humor doesn’t undermine the story’s seriousness; it enhances it, highlighting the absurdity of people who thought they could get away with such blatant wrongdoing.
As Christians, we know that laughter can be a gift, even in the darkest times (Proverbs 17:22). But Gaslit also reminds us to be careful about what we laugh at. The show’s humor works because it punches up, exposing the arrogance and folly of those in power. It doesn’t excuse their actions; it shines a light on them.
The Complexity of Redemption
If you’re looking for a redemptive arc in Gaslit, you might be disappointed. John Mitchell regrets betraying Martha, but his remorse comes too late to save their marriage or his soul. The other characters show little sign of growth or self-awareness. In many ways, it’s a story without heroes, only survivors.
For Christians, this lack of redemption can feel unsettling. We believe in a God who offers grace to everyone, no matter how far they’ve fallen (Romans 5:20). But Gaslit doesn’t give us that comfort. Instead, it forces us to wrestle with the reality that not everyone seeks or accepts redemption. It’s a sobering reminder that repentance isn’t automatic; it’s a choice, and not everyone makes it.
A Show Worth Watching?
So, should Christians watch Gaslit? That depends. It’s not an easy show. It’s sharp, satirical, and sometimes brutal in its critique of power and politics. But it’s also deeply human, full of flawed characters struggling to navigate a corrupt system. For those willing to engage with its complexities, it offers a lot to think about—about truth, courage, and the dangers of compromise.
At the same time, Gaslit isn’t for everyone. Its humor and cynicism might feel too biting for some, and its portrayal of moral failure can be hard to stomach. But if you’re looking for a show that challenges you, provokes you, and makes you reflect on what it means to live with integrity, it’s worth a watch.
Final Thoughts
Gaslit is a messy, fascinating, and deeply thought-provoking series. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but maybe that’s the point. Life is messy, history is messy, and so are the people who live it. As Christians, we’re called to navigate that mess with grace, courage, and truth. Watching Gaslit, you can’t help but wonder: How would I have acted in Martha Mitchell’s shoes? Would I have had the courage to speak out—or the humility to listen?
Rating: 8/10. It’s not perfect, but it’s powerful, and it’s a story worth telling.
