The Witcher Season 4 has arrived on Netflix, marking a seismic shift for the fantasy series with Liam Hemsworth taking over the iconic role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill. This penultimate season arrives amid significant controversy, divisive critical reception, and passionate fan debate about the series’ direction. With an ambitious storyline spanning eight episodes and significant production changes, Season 4 represents both the promise of epic fantasy storytelling and the challenges of major cast recasts. Here’s our comprehensive review of The Witcher Season 4 and what you need to know before diving in.
The Witcher Season 4: Critical and Audience Reception
Release Date: October 30, 2025 | Platform: Netflix (Exclusive Streaming) | Episodes: 8
Critical Rating: 53% Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 18% Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | Previous Seasons: Season 1 (68%), Season 2 (95%), Season 3 (79%)
The Witcher Season 4 has arrived with the lowest critical reception in the series’ history. The 53% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes represents a dramatic 26-point drop from Season 3 (79%), while the audience score has plummeted even further to just 18%—a staggering collapse that signals serious problems with how the season has been received by both professional critics and dedicated fans. This represents one of Netflix’s most divisive releases in recent memory.
Cast and Creative Team
Showrunner/Creator/Executive Producer: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Directors: Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Tricia Brock, Alex Garcia Lopez, Jeremy Webb
Main Cast:
Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia — The Australian actor, 35, makes his debut in the iconic role previously held by Henry Cavill for three seasons. Hemsworth’s portrayal attempts to capture a Geralt stripped down by war, wounded by loss, and forced to become something different. However, reviews have been notably harsh, with critics describing his performance as lacking the gravitas and presence that Cavill brought to the character. The Radio Times stated: “Cavill’s absence looms large over a story weighed down by uneven writing and tone,” while TheWrap wrote: “Where Cavill brought a real presence to the role – managing to be gruffly funny in one moment and believably brutal in the next – Hemsworth is just an anchor around the entire experience.”
Freya Allan as Ciri — The actress reprises her role as Princess Cirilla, the most powerful being on the Continent, whose power and destiny have divided the world. Allan’s character remains central to Season 4’s narrative.
Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg — The powerful mage continues her complex journey, separated from Geralt by war and political intrigue.
Laurence Fishburne as Regis — Oscar-nominated actor joins the cast as a centuries-old character bringing additional star power and gravitas to the ensemble.
Supporting Cast: Additional cast members join for Season 4 as the story expands across the Continent.
Why Henry Cavill Left and the Casting Controversy
In October 2022, Henry Cavill shocked fans by announcing his departure from the role, ending his three-season run as Geralt of Rivia. Cavill, an avid fan of the source material and the video games, revealed he was leaving to “pass his swords” to another actor. While no specific reason was publicly cited at the time, various reports suggested creative differences between Cavill and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich regarding how faithful the adaptation should be to Sapkowski’s books. Cavill had been vocal about his dedication to the source material and the video game’s portrayal of the character.
The casting of Liam Hemsworth to replace him was met with immediate fan backlash. Despite showrunner Hissrich’s assurances that Hemsworth would bring his own interpretation to the role, the change proved controversial from announcement to premiere. Now that Season 4 has aired, fan sentiment remains largely negative, with social media filled with comments like “I take back any good faith I gave to Liam Hemsworth. Henry will always be my Geralt. Not whatever this abomination is.”
Plot Overview and Story Direction
Season 4 picks up after the Continent-altering events of Season 3, where the world was torn apart by war and betrayal. Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri find themselves separated by raging conflict and countless enemies. Each follows their own path: Geralt assembles a ragtag group of companions searching for Ciri, Yennefer deals with her own challenges, and Ciri remains at the center of Vilgefortz’s plans as he builds an army. The season focuses on testing whether these three can ever reunite despite the forces working to keep them apart.
According to showrunner Hissrich, Season 4 and the yet-to-be-released Season 5 will adapt Sapkowski’s three remaining books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. This final two-season push is designed to bring a definitive conclusion to the fantasy epic.
Critical Analysis and Concerns
The critical consensus identifies several key problems: Hemsworth’s performance as Geralt lacks the commanding presence of Cavill; the writing feels uneven with inconsistent tone; and the creative direction has become increasingly distant from Sapkowski’s source material. Critics note that while Season 2 achieved a remarkable 95% critical approval, Season 4’s 53% represents a fundamental loss of quality and direction. The audience score of 18% suggests dedicated fans are particularly frustrated with the creative choices.
Some observers have suggested the series has become “more like a parody or mockery of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books,” indicating deep concerns about narrative integrity. The consensus appears to be that while the show remains watchable, it has lost the emotional weight and character depth that made the first two seasons appealing.
Where to Watch The Witcher Season 4
Platform: Netflix (Exclusive) | Availability: All 8 episodes available for binge-watching as of October 30, 2025 | Subscription Tier: All Netflix plans | Regions: Worldwide availability
The Witcher Season 4 is exclusively available on Netflix globally. All eight episodes dropped simultaneously on October 30, 2025, making it perfect for binge-watching. The show is available on all Netflix subscription tiers (with ad-supported and ad-free options). There is no theatrical release or alternate streaming platform for this season.
Final Verdict
The Witcher Season 4 arrives as a problematic installment that represents a significant quality drop from its predecessors. While the show remains technically competent and occasionally engaging, the casting of Liam Hemsworth in the lead role hasn’t captured what made Henry Cavill’s interpretation so compelling, and the writing struggles with tonal consistency and narrative direction. The series’ decision to move further away from source material while also failing to establish a convincing alternative direction has alienated both critics and fans.
That said, fans deeply invested in the world and characters may still find enough to appreciate, particularly in the performances from Freya Allan and Anya Chalotra. The introduction of Laurence Fishburne brings additional star power. However, for newcomers or casual viewers, the critical and audience response suggests starting with earlier seasons before committing to Season 4. The show’s penultimate season ultimately feels like a stumbling block rather than a triumphant march toward the finale—raising questions about whether the series can recover for its final chapter with Season 5.
Recommendation: For devoted Witcher fans: Watch for completeness, but temper expectations. For casual viewers: Consider revisiting earlier seasons instead. For newcomers: Start with Season 2, which remains the series’ high point with a 95% critical score.
