The fourth season of The Witcher premiered on October 25, 2023, on Netflix, and early reviews indicate a challenging reception. With a current rating of just 18% on Rotten Tomatoes, fans have expressed disappointment, particularly regarding the transition from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth in the role of Geralt of Rivia. This shift, coupled with the narrative choices in the new season, has left some viewers feeling that the adaptation strays too far from the original source material created by Andrzej Sapkowski.
The series, which began with Cavill as the iconic monster hunter, has faced scrutiny since the announcement of Hemsworth’s casting. Some fans have gone as far as to describe the latest season as “more like a parody or rather a mockery” of Sapkowski’s acclaimed works. The narrative picks up with a voice-over recap featuring Cavill, albeit briefly, before focusing on Hemsworth’s portrayal of Geralt. Critics have noted that the season feels rushed, leaving little room to explore the rich world established by the original novels and the subsequent popular video games.
In the opening episodes, Geralt embarks on a solitary journey, having left key characters Yennefer and Ciri behind. Although Hemsworth’s performance has garnered mixed reactions, some have praised his effort, while others find the transition jarring. One critic remarked, “While his predecessor invested Geralt with a gruff likability, Geralt II is less ‘valorous man-mountain grappling with responsibilities beyond our ken’ and more ‘bollard in a wig.'”
The discontent among fans and critics is compounded by reports that Cavill departed due to creative differences with the writers, who allegedly strayed from maintaining authenticity to Sapkowski’s vision. This has led to further debate about the show’s direction and its commitment to the source material.
While some viewers are hopeful for future improvements, the consensus is that the storytelling in this season lacks the depth expected from a series of such potential. Fans have pointed out that Netflix has previously demonstrated its capability for high-quality productions, which makes the current iteration of The Witcher feel particularly lackluster.
Looking ahead, Netflix has confirmed that Season 5 will be the series’ final chapter, having filmed back-to-back with the current season. The release is anticipated for late next year. In addition, Netflix has quietly introduced a spinoff titled The Rats: A Witcher Tale, along with prior projects like The Witcher: Blood Origin and The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, providing content for fans eager for more lore from this universe.
As the discourse around The Witcher continues, it remains clear that the series faces significant challenges in winning back its audience’s trust. With the impending conclusion of the saga, many fans hope for a resurgence in quality that honors the legacy of its source material.
