The Witcher Season 4 (2025) Review

The Witcher Season 4 marks a triumphant return to form, reinvigorating one of fantasy television’s most beloved modern sagas. While the conversation surrounding Liam Hemsworth’s debut as Geralt of Rivia was inevitable, the show wisely lets performance and story speak for themselves. Many comparisons will continue to surface between Hemsworth and Henry Cavill, but it is worth remembering that both actors are ultimately channeling a shared source: Doug Cockle’s iconic video game portrayal, which has defined Geralt’s gravelly cadence and weary charm for nearly two decades. Both Cavill and Hemsworth embody that spirit, Cavill with his stoic intensity and Hemsworth with a slightly more grounded, wounded energy. The result is a portrayal that feels at once familiar and revitalized.

From his first appearance, Hemsworth commands attention. His Geralt is less statuesque and more human, a witcher weighed down not only by the monsters he slays but by the emotional scars of betrayal, loss, and love. Where Cavill’s performance leaned toward the mythic, Hemsworth’s feels more immediate and raw. He embraces the world’s brutality and absurdity with equal conviction, showing flashes of humor, empathy, and even melancholy beneath the armor. As a immense fan of The Witcher books, games, and earlier seasons, I found Hemsworth’s take both respectful and surprisingly refreshing. It does not feel like imitation; it feels like evolution.

The returning ensemble remains as strong as ever. Freya Allan continues to shine as Ciri, whose evolution from sheltered princess to hardened survivor takes center stage this season. Allan navigates Ciri’s conflicting emotions of fear, rage, compassion, and resilience with impressive maturity. Her time with the band of thieves known as the Rats forms the emotional spine of the season. This arc captures the spirit of Time of Contempt and Baptism of Fire, while also allowing the show to explore moral ambiguity in a way that feels new. The Rats may be charismatic rogues, but they also force Ciri to confront who she is becoming and what survival truly costs.

Anya Chalotra once again delivers a powerhouse performance as Yennefer of Vengerberg, balancing vulnerability and ferocity in equal measure. Her relationship with Geralt continues to evolve in poignant, unpredictable ways, capturing the tension of two people bound by fate yet divided by circumstance. Chalotra’s scenes, particularly those exploring Yennefer’s growing influence as a political force, remind viewers that The Witcher is as much about ambition and ideology as it is about monsters. Meanwhile, Joey Batey’s Jaskier brings his trademark levity, serving as both comic relief and emotional conscience. His moments of humor feel earned, and his loyalty to Geralt and Ciri continues to anchor the narrative in humanity amid chaos.

One of the standout arcs this season belongs to Eamon Farren’s Cahir. Once the menacing Nilfgaardian knight, Cahir has been on a steady journey of redemption, and here that transformation reaches new depths. Farren portrays him with haunting precision, evolving from a symbol of tyranny into a man seeking meaning beyond violence. His newfound compassion contrasts beautifully with his earlier ruthlessness, making him one of the show’s most layered and tragic figures. Watching him wrestle with guilt and purpose offers some of the most moving scenes of the season.

Then there is Sharlto Copley’s Leo Bonhart, arguably the most terrifying character the series has introduced so far. Fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels know Bonhart as one of the most sadistic and complex villains in the Witcher universe, and Copley absolutely nails it. His performance is feral, magnetic, and utterly chilling. Bonhart’s quiet menace builds slowly until it explodes into moments of shocking brutality that linger long after the episode ends. It is a portrayal that captures not only the physical danger of the character but his psychological domination. Copley does not simply play Bonhart as a killer; he plays him as a reflection of what happens when humanity is stripped of empathy. In many ways, he embodies the darkest possible mirror of Geralt, a man who kills for pleasure instead of purpose.

Narratively, Season 4 keeps a brisk pace. The storytelling wastes no time, weaving together political intrigue, monster hunts, and personal reckonings. Some critics may view this rapid progression as a drawback, but for those familiar with the novels, it is a necessity. Sapkowski’s middle chapters are dense, filled with shifting allegiances, moral gray areas, and intersecting plotlines. The show’s decision to streamline events helps maintain clarity and momentum without sacrificing depth. Each episode feels purposeful, pushing the story forward while leaving just enough mystery to entice.

Visually, The Witcher has never looked better. The production design captures the harsh beauty of the Continent, from blood-soaked battlefields to misty forests and crumbling ruins. The world feels tactile, weathered, and alive. The creature effects are consistently impressive, blending practical makeup with seamless CGI. Monsters like the Zeugl and the Aeschna feel genuinely threatening, their appearances sparing enough to preserve impact. The fight choreography also deserves praise, fluid, brutal, and shot with clarity. Hemsworth wields his sword with believable precision, blending strength and grace in a way that honors Cavill’s physical legacy while adding his own flair.

Thematically, this season delves deeply into identity, power, and destiny. Ciri’s storyline forces her to reckon with what it means to be both hunted and chosen, while Geralt grapples with the futility of neutrality in a world consumed by war. Yennefer’s arc explores leadership and sacrifice, blurring the lines between personal ambition and moral duty. These threads intertwine beautifully, painting a portrait of characters caught between who they were and who they must become.

Perhaps most impressive is how the show handles adaptation. Yes, The Witcher continues to diverge from the books, but those changes mostly enhance rather than detract. The writers clearly understand that adaptation means translation, not transcription. By emphasizing emotional truth over literal plot points, Season 4 maintains the heart of Sapkowski’s work while finding fresh ways to explore it. The dialogue remains sharp and literate, often echoing the philosophical musings of the novels without feeling heavy-handed.

By the time the finale arrives, The Witcher Season 4 has set the stage for an epic conclusion. The final moments perfectly position the story for what promises to be an emotionally charged and action-packed fifth season. For book readers, the closing scenes will feel like a reward, an acknowledgment that the show knows exactly where it is heading and how to get there.

Ultimately, The Witcher Season 4 succeeds because it remembers what made the franchise great in the first place: flawed heroes, terrifying monsters, political scheming, and a world where every choice has a cost. It honors the legacy of what came before while boldly charting its own course. Liam Hemsworth proves himself more than worthy of the medallion, and the rest of the cast rises to meet him. The show is visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and narratively gripping from start to finish.

In short, The Witcher Season 4 is not just a continuation; it is a rejuvenation. It reminds us why we fell in love with this dark, dangerous, and deeply human world in the first place. If the quality on display here is any indication, Season 5 could well deliver one of fantasy television’s most satisfying conclusions.