After a two-year hiatus, The Witcher returns with its most controversial season yet. With Liam Hemsworth stepping into Geralt’s boots and the series entering its penultimate chapter, does Season 4 recapture the magic that made it Netflix’s fantasy crown jewel? Here’s our complete breakdown.
Table of Contents
The Witcher Season 4: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| New Lead | Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia |
| Previous Lead | Henry Cavill (Seasons 1-3) |
| Episodes | 8 Episodes |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| Based On | Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels |
| Streaming | Netflix |
| Production | Filmed back-to-back with Season 5 |
| Key Cast | Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra, Laurence Fishburne |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5) |
The Elephant in the Room: Liam Hemsworth Takes the Reins
Let’s address what everyone’s thinking: Can Liam Hemsworth replace Henry Cavill? The short answer is—he doesn’t try to. Instead, Hemsworth brings his own interpretation to Geralt of Rivia, and surprisingly, it works.
Cavill’s departure due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts left massive shoes to fill. His three-season portrayal set a gold standard that fans cherished. Yet Hemsworth’s performance proves admirable, capturing both Geralt’s brutal warrior side and unexpected emotional vulnerability. While longtime fans will naturally feel nostalgic for Cavill’s iconic grunts and sword work, Hemsworth’s Geralt won’t diminish your love for the character.
The verdict? We miss Henry Cavill, but Liam Hemsworth isn’t the problem here.
Three Stories, One Continent: Season 4’s Narrative Structure
Season 4 adapts the later novels from Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved fantasy series, picking up after Season 3’s climactic events. The war-torn Continent has separated our core trio, giving each their distinct storyline:
Ciri’s Coming-of-Age with The Rats
Now calling herself Falka, Ciri (Freya Allan) joins a chaotic gang of thieves known as The Rats. This self-contained arc explores her identity when left to her own devices. The Rats bring whimsical energy, street-level brawls, and genuine laughs to the season. While individually thin characters—except for Christelle Elwin’s compelling Mistle—their group chemistry creates electric entertainment.
This storyline gives Ciri room to grow beyond being the prophesied child, allowing her to discover who she is when nobody’s watching.
Geralt’s Unexpected Band of Misfits
Geralt leads his own ragtag group including Jaskier, Milva, Regis, Cahir, Yarpen, Zoltan, and Percival. Their quest to find Ciri becomes the season’s emotional core. The group’s dynamic brings out Geralt’s softer side—crucial for establishing Hemsworth’s interpretation.
Episode 5, “The Joy of Cooking,” stands as the season’s creative peak. The group gathers around a campfire, sharing tales from their pasts through innovative storytelling methods—including animated sequences and musical numbers from Jaskier. It’s The Witcher at its most experimental and successful.
Laurence Fishburne’s portrayal of Regis—a vampire and philosophical academic—delivers standout moments. His character adds intellectual depth, engaging the team in discussions about morality, ethics, and what it means to be human (or monster).
Yennefer’s Messy Magical Politics
Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) attempts to rebuild a sorceress lodge after Aretuza’s fall while battling Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu). This storyline has moments but lacks cohesion. With an ensemble including the newly-cast Peter Mullan as Vesemir and returning character Istredd, the narrative stumbles trying to balance too many players.
The result? Diluted focus and emotional beats that don’t quite land despite their importance to the overall plot.
Action, Scale, and Spectacle
Season 4 delivers massive action sequences—the largest scale battles The Witcher has produced. Each storyline culminates in satisfying, action-packed climaxes that justify Netflix’s continued investment in the franchise. For fans who love fantasy series with epic combat, this season doesn’t disappoint on spectacle.
The production values remain Netflix-level impressive, with stunning cinematography capturing the Continent’s diverse landscapes and intricate fight choreography that honors the source material.
The Season’s Secret Weapon: Sharlto Copley
Leo Bonhart (Sharlto Copley) emerges as the season’s most compelling villain. This ruthless bounty hunter owns every scene despite limited screen time. Unpredictable, inherently dangerous, and willing to cross any line for success, Bonhart instantly surpasses Vilgefortz as the show’s most despicable antagonist.
Copley’s performance brings menacing energy that elevates every episode he appears in, proving that sometimes less is indeed more when the acting is this sharp.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The Strengths:
- Hemsworth’s commendable Geralt portrayal
- New cast members bring fresh energy (especially Fishburne and Copley)
- Massive action sequences with real stakes
- Creative storytelling risks (Episode 5 shines)
- The Rats’ chaotic chemistry
- Geralt’s found family dynamic
The Weaknesses:
- Missing the trio’s united heart from previous seasons
- Yennefer’s storyline lacks focus
- Some emotional moments don’t land
- Uneven pacing across separate narratives
- Messy magical politics subplot
Is The Witcher Season 4 Worth Your Time?
Yes, with reservations. The Witcher Season 4 remains solid, entertaining fantasy television. Long-time fans of the Netflix adaptation will find satisfaction here, occasionally blown away by action sequences while sometimes frustrated by meandering plots.
Without Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer sharing screen time, the season sacrifices the emotional core that defined earlier chapters. However, the new ensemble cast proves triumphant, and Hemsworth successfully establishes himself as a worthy successor.
The season isn’t magical television, but it’s far from a blunt sword. As The Witcher heads toward its final season, this installment provides enough momentum to keep invested viewers engaged while likely failing to win back disillusioned fans who abandoned ship earlier.
For newcomers, check out Netflix’s official Witcher hub to catch up on previous seasons before diving into this new chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Liam Hemsworth do justice to Geralt after Henry Cavill’s departure?
Absolutely. While fans will naturally feel nostalgic for Cavill’s iconic three-season run, Hemsworth brings his own interpretation that honors the character without attempting imitation. He successfully captures Geralt’s brutal efficiency and emotional depth, proving himself a commendable successor. The casting change isn’t season 4’s weakness—in fact, Hemsworth’s performance amid a strong ensemble cast becomes one of its strengths. Give him a chance, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
Should I watch The Witcher Season 4 if I fell off after Season 2?
That depends on why you stopped watching. If convoluted timelines and pacing issues drove you away, Season 4 still struggles with narrative cohesion, particularly in Yennefer’s storyline. However, if you’re willing to invest in separate character arcs that eventually converge, the improved action sequences, creative storytelling risks, and compelling new characters like Regis and Leo Bonhart offer genuine entertainment. Season 4 won’t revolutionize the series, but it provides solid fantasy television that respects its source material while making bold choices.
