The Witcher franchise, which gained immense popularity with its first three seasons on Netflix, has returned with Season 4—but this time, it hasn’t received the warm reception it has enjoyed in the past. The latest season, which marks the debut of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia following Henry Cavill’s departure, has struggled to impress both critics and audiences alike. As of October 31, 2025, Season 4 holds the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score in the series’ history, with mixed reviews circulating across various platforms. Despite the anticipated shift in the cast, Season 4 has not lived up to expectations, leaving fans questioning what went wrong.
How The Witcher Season 4’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Compares to Past Seasons?
As the show dives deeper into its expansive universe, The Witcher has garnered both praise and criticism from critics. Unfortunately, the series’ fourth installment seems to be at the lowest point yet, with a notable decline in its critical reception.
Season 4 Rotten Tomatoes Scores:
- Critics: 53% (17 reviews)
- Audience: 20% (based on 500+ audience ratings as of October 31, 2025)
This is a significant drop from earlier seasons, and The Witcher Season 4 is now officially the lowest-rated season of the series. The show’s move to a new actor in the lead role has undoubtedly contributed to this, but there are also complaints about uneven storytelling and pacing.
In comparison, here’s how the previous seasons performed:
| Season | Critic Score | Audience Score | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 68% (92 reviews) | 91% | The debut season was a hit with both critics and fans. The show quickly captivated audiences with its immersive world-building and compelling characters. |
| Season 2 | 95% (64 reviews) | 94% | Season 2 was the highest-rated, praised for its coherent plot, strong character arcs, and visual effects. Many fans considered it a vast improvement over the first season. |
| Season 3 | 79% (47 reviews) | 89% | While still well-received, Season 3 saw a slight decline in ratings, with criticism aimed at pacing issues and occasional narrative inconsistencies. |
| Season 4 | 53% (17 reviews) | 20% | The latest season marks a stark contrast, with a drastic drop in both critic and audience scores. Critics have cited uneven quality, while the audience score suggests a disappointing reception overall. |
What Went Wrong With The Witcher Season 4?
So, what happened with The Witcher Season 4? A number of factors are being blamed for the series’ disappointing performance.
1. The Liam Hemsworth Factor:
Liam Hemsworth’s debut as Geralt of Rivia, taking over from Henry Cavill, was a major shift for the series. While Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt had become iconic, there was much uncertainty around how Hemsworth would approach the character. Many fans were eager to see if Hemsworth could live up to Cavill’s legacy, but others have expressed that the new casting didn’t resonate well.
Debopriyaa Dutta of Slash Film explains, “Unfortunately, season 4 of the Netflix adaptation constantly flits between praiseworthy moments and monumental blunders, and this uneven quality extends to almost every facet of the show.” Hemsworth’s performance, however, has garnered some positive feedback, with critics acknowledging his strong portrayal despite the surrounding challenges.
2. Uneven Storytelling:
While the Witcher universe is known for its complex characters and intricate plots, Season 4 has been criticized for its lack of consistency. The narrative feels disjointed, with moments of brilliance followed by poorly executed sequences. This issue has been particularly evident in the storytelling, where the tone shifts unpredictably between action sequences and slower, more dramatic moments.
Ross Cohen of ScreenRant noted, “The new season is a hodgepodge of brilliant ideas mixed with jarring plotlines that go nowhere. The disjointed storytelling seems to overshadow the depth of the original material.”
3. Weak Audience Reception:
The disparity between critic and audience ratings highlights a disconnect between what was expected by fans and what was delivered. With a significantly lower audience score of 20%, the general fanbase has expressed dissatisfaction with the season’s direction, pacing, and lack of coherence. Fans who were expecting the seamless continuation of Geralt’s journey are finding it hard to connect with the characters or the evolving storyline.
Key Features of The Witcher Season 4
Despite the negative reception, The Witcher Season 4 does have its share of notable features:
- Liam Hemsworth as Geralt: Hemsworth brings a fresh take on the character, though his portrayal is met with mixed reactions.
- Expanding the Universe: The season delves deeper into the rich lore of The Witcher world, featuring new characters and a broader exploration of the Continent.
- Stronger Visual Effects: With a higher budget, Season 4 features improved special effects, especially in the depiction of magic and monster battles.
- New Alliances and Enemies: Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer are forced to face even more formidable foes as new alliances are formed.
What’s Next for The Witcher?
While Season 4 might not have lived up to its predecessors, fans are still holding on to hope for the series’ future. With the season’s finale leaving room for new developments, many are curious to see if the upcoming seasons can redeem the series.
It’s also important to note that the season continues to expand the Witcher universe, with the next installments possibly providing a clearer direction for the story and characters.
| Key Features of Season 4 | Impact on the Show |
|---|---|
| Liam Hemsworth as Geralt | Mixed reception, but still positive in terms of performance. |
| Storytelling Quality | Criticized for being uneven and disjointed, with poor pacing. |
| Visual Effects | Stronger special effects, particularly in magic and monster battles. |
| Character Development | Some characters, such as Yennefer and Ciri, have new arcs that are still being developed. |
Why The Witcher Season 4 Matters?
Despite the criticism, Season 4’s release is significant for a number of reasons. First, it marks the departure of Henry Cavill as Geralt, leaving Liam Hemsworth to carry the mantle. This is a monumental shift in the franchise and marks a new chapter for the character. Additionally, the show continues to expand its world-building, potentially setting the stage for future seasons.
More importantly, The Witcher has been one of Netflix’s flagship series, with a massive fan following. It’s crucial for Netflix to address the issues faced by Season 4 and work toward improving both the storytelling and character arcs to ensure that the series doesn’t fall into irrelevance as it heads toward its conclusion.
FAQs
The season suffered from uneven storytelling and mixed reception of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, with some fans struggling to connect with the new direction.
While his performance received some positive feedback, the general reception has been mixed due to the difficult transition after Henry Cavill’s departure.
Yes, Netflix is expected to continue with more seasons. Fans are hoping for improvement in future storylines.
Critics noted that the season lacked coherence, with shifts in tone and pacing that made the plot feel disjointed.
Yes, the season expands their arcs, and future seasons are expected to provide more clarity on their journey.
