Picture: Netflix
It’s been over two years since The Witcher was last on our screens, and a lot has changed in that time. As the fantasy enters its penultimate fourth season, has it still got its edge, or has it fallen blunt? Here’s our review.
Expectations for Netflix’s The Witcher have always been enormous. The IP is one of the biggest in the fantasy genre, and that was before a TV show was even discussed. The series has had its critics over the years, but Netflix has continued to pour millions into the franchise, developing a number of spinoff projects such as prequel Blood Origin and animated films. With season 4, there’s a different sort of pressure and expectation as a result of big changes, not least a new face behind Geralt of Rivia…
Reviewing The Witcher 4 without addressing the major casting shake-up is nigh impossible. Liam Hemsworth replaces Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, who left the project due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts. This casting change has been a major talking point and sparked significant controversy. While stepping into Geralt’s shoes was a huge responsibility for Hemsworth, he has done a totally commendable job of embodying the beloved character. Fans won’t forget Cavill’s outstanding three seasons as the titular hero, which undoubtedly set a precedent and a gold standard, but Hemsworth’s portrayal won’t diminish anyone’s appreciation for the character. His performance is admirable, successfully capturing both Geralt’s brutal side and emotional depth.
In short, we still miss Henry Cavill, but Hemsworth as Geralt is absolutely not a major problem.
The season, filmed back-to-back with the fifth and final season, adapts Andrzej Sapkowski’s later novels. Following the climactic arc of season 3, the new episodes begin with Geralt, Ciri (Freya Allan), and Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) separated across the war-torn Continent. Each is very much contained in their own story, though their narratives subtly mirror one another. For example, while Ciri (or Falka, as she refers to herself) becomes embroiled in a ragtag group of thieves known as The Rats, Geralt finds himself unwittingly leading a group of misfits of his own.
Picture: Netflix
Meanwhile, Yennefer attempts to find a new sorceress lodge after the fall of Aretuza, while also trying to defeat Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu). This storyline undoubtedly has its moments, but for such a big element of the show, it’s certainly messy. It lacked cohesion and could’ve been tighter. There’s an ensemble of characters involved, notably Vesemir (now played by Peter Mullan) to Istredd. In trying to balance a number of characters, it lacks focus and stumbles in delivering big emotional moments.
This season brings big action. Each storyline gets its fair due with a satisfying and action-packed climax. Some of the battles are the largest in scale we’ve seen in the show so far. As for the emotional beats of the season, I particularly loved Geralt’s journey, where he’s joined by Jaskier, Milva, Regis, Cahir, Yarpen, Zoltan, and Percival. The group’s dynamic is wonderful; they bring out Geralt’s more emotional side, which was particularly important this season with a new actor at the helm. One of the highlights of the season comes in episode 5, The Joy of Cooking, where the group sits around a campfire, each recounting tales from their respective pasts. That episode in particular takes creative risks, including an animated backstory and a tale told entirely in song by Jaskier.
As expected, Laurence Fishburne’s portrayal of vampire and wise academic Regis is a standout performance, which was to be expected. Regis joins Geralt and the group on their quest to find Ciri, helping them out more often than not, and also engaging the team in discussions of philosophy, morality, and ethics.
Picture: Netflix
Ciri’s story this season is the most self-contained. The Rats, a chaotic and whimsical group, offer plenty of laughs and fantastic street-level brawls. While they may not be the most interesting characters individually — besides Christelle Elwin’s Mistle — as a group, they’ve got electric chemistry and they’re incredibly entertaining to watch. This is a coming-of-age arc for Ciri, exploring her identity, personality, and instinct when left to her own devices.
A major standout performer was Sharlto Copley as Leo Bonhart, a ruthless and heartless bounty hunter. For someone with such little screen time overall, he absolutely owns every scene he’s in. After catching wind of Falka and The Rat’s infamy, he sets out to collect their bounties. Copley plays the role excellently, embodying a character who is unpredictable, inherently dangerous, and willing to go to any lengths to ensure his success. For me at least, he instantly surpasses Vilgefortz as the show’s most despicable villain.
Verdict
The Witcher remains a solid and entertaining enough fantasy show. Fans of the TV show will be perfectly satisfied with this instalment: sometimes even blown away by a few action sequences, and sometimes left frustrated by lacklustre stories. Without Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer together, it lacks the big heart of previous seasons, but the new cast members are a triumph. Sure, it’s not quite magic, but season 4 is not a blunt sword either.
