The Witcher Season 4 arrived on Netflix on October 30, 2025, and it has been met with the most critical backlash the series has ever seen. While earlier seasons were mostly praised, the new season has earned the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score for the series, with critics giving it a 60% and the audience score plummeting to a brutal 19%. This sharp decline is driven by a major casting change, creative decisions that stray from the source material, and writing that has left many fans and critics disappointed.
The Impact of a New Geralt of Rivia
The most significant change in The Witcher Season 4 is the recasting of its lead character. Liam Hemsworth has taken over the role of Geralt of Rivia from the widely popular Henry Cavill, a switch that has proven difficult for many fans to accept.
Critics have described the change as “incredibly jarring,” with some reviews pointing out that Hemsworth’s version of the character feels flat when compared to the standard set by Cavill. One viewer on Rotten Tomatoes summed up a common feeling, writing, “The portrayal of Geralt by Liam Hemsworth is not even close to the character and ruined it for any remaining seasons for me.”
While some critics have been more supportive, suggesting Hemsworth is “a pretty solid Geralt of Rivia,” even positive reviews acknowledge a larger problem. As one critic noted, “The problem isn’t that the show has a new lead actor; it’s that it continues to be a bloated mess, and season 4 doesn’t do anything to fix that.”
Writing and Storyline Criticisms
A recurring theme in the negative reception is widespread disappointment with the season’s writing and plot development. Reviewers have described the storytelling as lost, repetitive, and lacking clear direction.
One critic called this season “the epitome of squandered potential,” blaming “drab, uninspired writing” for flattening major characters and introducing storylines that feel disconnected from the larger conflict. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which sits at 19%, reflects this frustration, with many fans citing a flimsy plot and a noticeable dip in the quality of dialogue as key reasons for their disappointment.
Diverging From the Original Books
The Witcher Season 4 has drawn significant criticism for its major departures from Andrzej Sapkowski’s original book series. Longtime fans have been particularly vocal about changes that alter key characters and events from the source material.
A prime example is the death of the character Vesemir during the Battle of Montecalvo, an event that does not occur in the books. This major change, along with new roles for characters like Yennefer and Francesca, has left many fans feeling the writers are disregarding the original story. Critics argue the show has dropped the complex political drama and rich character work that defined the books, instead chasing shock value with changes that feel pointless and forced.
Audience Reaction and Review Scores
The negative audience reaction to the new season is stark when compared to previous years. The show’s audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes have steadily declined: Season 1 enjoyed a strong 88%, which fell to 54% for Season 2 and 20% for Season 3. Season 4 has now hit rock bottom at 19%.
On social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, fans have described the new season as “soulless” and “disjointed,” with many expressing that the story no longer holds together and lacks the depth of earlier seasons. One fan review described the experience as “Like a cringe fever dream…” Despite the criticism, the season still managed to pull in strong viewership, landing in the Netflix Top 10 in many countries and even securing the number one spot in some regions.
A Controversial New Line for Geralt
Even before the season’s full release, a specific line from the trailer sparked controversy. In a battle scene, Hemsworth’s Geralt shouts, “Let’s f**cking move!” a line that many fans felt was completely out of character for Geralt and inappropriate for the high-fantasy setting.
In defense of the line, showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich stated that within the context of the scene, it makes sense. She explained, “It’s one of those things that it’s like, you may go, ‘Oh, that’s not what my Geralt would say.’ Well, it is. It’s what our Geralt would say. And in this moment, it suits it perfectly.” However, this defense was seen by many as indicative of a broader issue, where the show’s creators are making Geralt “their own” at the expense of the character’s established spirit.
How Critics Are Split
While the overall critical reception is the poorest for the series, some reviewers did find positive aspects. The critical score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at a mixed 60%, and some critics praised the show’s improved pacing and cleaner action sequences.
One review noted that the season is “well-paced, tonally on point,” while another highlighted that the show is at its best when the core trio of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer share the screen. The performance of Anya Chalotra as Yennefer was frequently mentioned as a standout, with several critics noting she carries her scenes with strength and remains a bright spot in the season.
Also Read: The Witcher Showrunner Explains Why Liam Hemsworth Is the Right Geralt for Season 4
