The Rats: A Witcher Tale. This stealth release flew under the radar with minimal promotion, leaving many viewers unaware that a brand-new Witcher adventure was waiting in their queue. Here’s everything you need to know about this mysterious addition to the Witcherverse.
Table of Contents
The Rats: Essential Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2025 (alongside Season 4) |
| Runtime | 1 hour 22 minutes |
| Format | Standalone movie/special |
| Director | Mairzee Almas |
| Writers | Haily Hall, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich |
| Rating | TV-MA (violence, language) |
| Key Cast | Dolph Lundgren, Sharlto Copley, Freya Allan |
From Mini-Series to Surprise Movie
Originally conceived as a standalone limited series similar to The Witcher: Blood Origin, production underwent significant changes behind the scenes. The project was reformatted into a feature-length special and released with remarkably little fanfare—barely mentioned beyond Netflix’s monthly roundups in Nigeria and Indonesia.
This quiet launch strategy contrasts sharply with Netflix’s usual promotional blitz for franchise content, making The Rats feel like a hidden treasure for dedicated Witcher fans to discover organically.
What’s The Story About?
The synopsis promises an intriguing heist premise: “To pull off a daring heist, a gang of six misfit outlaws will have to do something they’ve never done before: trust each other — and a washed-up Witcher.”
This narrative bridges the gap into Season 4, focusing on a ragtag group of outlaws who must collaborate with an aging Witcher on a dangerous mission. The story explores themes of redemption, trust, and survival in the morally gray world fans have come to love.
Star-Studded Cast Brings Fresh Faces
While The Witcher Season 4 introduces Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, The Rats features its own impressive ensemble:
- Dolph Lundgren brings action credibility as the washed-up Witcher
- Sharlto Copley (District 9) adds his distinctive intensity
- Freya Allan reprises her role, connecting to the main series
- Christelle Elwin, Ben Radcliffe, Fabian McCallum, and others round out the misfit crew
This diverse cast promises fresh dynamics while maintaining connections to the broader Witcherverse that fantasy enthusiasts crave.
When Should You Watch It?
Here’s where it gets interesting: Netflix recommends watching The Rats after Season 4, despite the story chronologically taking place before those events. This unusual viewing suggestion might indicate spoiler concerns or thematic resonance that makes more sense post-Season 4.
For completists, consider watching it before Season 4 to experience the timeline naturally. For casual viewers, following Netflix’s recommendation might provide better narrative satisfaction.
The Witcherverse’s Uncertain Future
With The Witcher Season 5 confirmed as the series finale, every addition to this universe carries extra weight. The Rats represents one of the final opportunities to explore new corners of this rich fantasy world before Netflix concludes the main saga.
The stealth release might reflect Netflix’s cautious approach following mixed reactions to previous spin-offs, but it also creates an intriguing “discover it yourself” vibe that rewards active fans.
Is It Worth Your Time?
At just 82 minutes, The Rats offers a bite-sized Witcher adventure perfect for a single evening. While production reportedly faced challenges, the heist premise and fresh characters provide something different from the main series’ monster-hunting formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to watch The Witcher Season 4 before watching The Rats?
Netflix officially recommends watching The Rats after Season 4, though the story chronologically occurs earlier. You can watch it either way—before Season 4 for timeline accuracy, or after for Netflix’s intended viewing experience. The special is designed to stand alone, so you won’t be completely lost either way, though familiarity with the Witcher universe definitely enhances the experience.
Q: Is The Rats connected to The Witcher: Blood Origin?
While both are Witcher spin-offs, The Rats is more directly connected to the main series timeline than Blood Origin was. The Rats bridges into Season 4 and features Freya Allan’s character, creating tighter narrative integration. Blood Origin was a distant prequel set 1,200 years earlier, whereas The Rats exists within the current story arc.
