The newest season of Netflix’s popular fantasy series The Witcher has made a disappointing kind of history.The Witcher Season 4, which premiered on October 30, 2025, has earned the distinction of being the lowest-rated season in the main series according to critics on the review site Rotten Tomatoes. This season is particularly significant as it marks the debut of Liam Hemsworth as the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, taking over the role from Henry Cavill.
What the Review Scores Show
The critical reception for The Witcher Season 4 has been divided. The season currently holds a 53% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. This score is based on reviews from numerous critics and is the lowest debut for any of the main show’s seasons.
The audience response has been even more severe. Verified viewers have given the season a dramatically low score of 19%. This indicates a strong negative reaction from the show’s fanbase.
For comparison, here is how Season 4 stacks up against previous seasons:
| Season | Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 68% | 88% |
| Season 2 | 95% | 54% |
| Season 3 | 79% | 20% |
| Season 4 | 53% | 19% |
This data shows a clear decline in audience appreciation starting from Season 2, with Season 4 reaching a new low.
A New Face for Geralt of Rivia
The most significant change in Season 4 is the recasting of its lead character. Henry Cavill, who played Geralt for the first three seasons, announced his departure in 2022. At the time, he stated he would be “laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” and that Liam Hemsworth would be “taking up the mantle of the White Wolf.”
Reports suggest that Cavill’s exit was influenced by creative differences, including clashes over how faithfully the show was adapting the original book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. Cavill himself has noted in past interviews that he pushed for the show to better reflect the books.
Liam Hemsworth now steps into the role, joining returning cast members Anya Chalotra as Yennefer and Freya Allan as Ciri. The new season also introduces Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a vampire who becomes a key companion to Geralt.
Critics Weigh In on the New Season
Critical reviews for Season 4 have been mixed, with many publications highlighting the challenge Hemsworth faced in taking over the iconic role.
Some critics found positive aspects. Aramide Tinubu of Variety wrote, “In a much sharper and less convoluted season than the previous one, The Witcher Season 4 is action-packed and full of dazzling characters both old and new.”
However, other reviews were less kind, often focusing on the new Geralt. Chase Hutchinson of The Wrap stated that where Henry Cavill “brought a real presence to the role… Hemsworth is just an anchor around the entire experience from which The Witcher can’t shake free.”
The UK’s Daily Telegraph offered a more tempered, though quirky, assessment. Ed Power noted that Hemsworth’s “quietly ridiculous turn is nonetheless perfectly attuned to a show that harks back to the days before fantasy was cool and gets by (just about) on sheer silliness.”
Why Fans Are Disappointed
The audience score suggests that many longtime fans of the series are unhappy with the new season. The reasons for this backlash appear to be multifaceted.
The departure of Henry Cavill is a major factor. Cavill was widely praised by fans for his portrayal of Geralt, capturing the character’s signature voice and demeanor. Many viewers felt he perfectly embodied the hero from the books and video games.
Another point of contention is the show’s continued deviation from the source material. While earlier seasons also took creative liberties, Season 4 is seen by many as diverging even more significantly from the story laid out in Sapkowski’s novels. The season attempts to blend two books, “Baptism of Fire” and “The Tower of the Swallow,” into one timeline, which changes the narrative and keeps the main characters separated for most of the season.
Some fans and critics have also noted that the season feels rushed, with the story moving too quickly through important plot points without enough character development. Despite impressive visual effects, many feel the poor storytelling and pacing problems are too significant to ignore.
A Difficult Start for the New Geralt
The disappointing reception translated into viewership numbers. In its first days of release, The Witcher Season 4 failed to debut at the number one spot on Netflix’s Top 10 list. Instead, it entered at number three, behind a romantic comedy that had been released the prior week and a reality series.
This is a notable underperformance for a show that was once expected to be Netflix’s flagship fantasy series. The long gap of over two years between Season 3 and Season 4 may have also contributed to a loss of viewer interest.
Despite the challenging reception, Netflix has already renewed The Witcher for a fifth season, which will be its last. The fifth season was filmed back-to-back with the fourth, ensuring that the series will have a chance to conclude its story with Hemsworth as Geralt.
Also Read: The Witcher Showrunner Explains Why Liam Hemsworth Is the Right Geralt for Season 4
