The latest fantasy drama on Netflix squanders the advantage of having a massive pre-existing fan base. Expecting people to be well-versed in the mythology and featuring a monotonous script, the show misses the mark.
An extravagant budget and good acting fuel some promise into the show as it tries to be the next Game Of Thrones.
1. Article Summary
The show suffers from a general lack of information and build-up about the Witcher franchise. The show drops you in the heat of the mythic mumbo-jumbo from the first episode and expects you to figure everything out. When the three plotlines of the protagonists actually converge, the series shows some promise, and the later episodes are enjoyable.
2. Is it Worth Watching?
The Witcher is based on the Polish fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, which everyone pretends they’ve read and the phenomenal game which almost everyone has played. The massive open world, stunning design, and memorable characters are what made the game so popular.
But, the series with its weak writing and the lack of a deep, complex plot fails to fill the gap left by Game of Thrones. The show still crossed 76 million viewers on Netflix, making it one of the biggest shows on the platform. Read on for a complete review.
I. Plot
The show’s protagonist is a white-haired, muscular hunk named Geralt of Rivia. He is a part of the fading race of Witchers, elite warriors who possess magical powers and have been shunned from society. They travel from town to town, looking for commissions to hunt down mischievous creatures and gruesome monsters in exchange for coin.
His life becomes entangled with Ciri, a princess with mysterious powers. When a group is known as the Nilfgaard Empire sack, Cintra wants to kidnap Ciri and use her powers for their own good; she is forced to escape. She leaves all that she loves behind, and her only directions are “Find Geralt.”
There is also a tormented disfigured witch named Yennefer in another part of the kingdom. Her life quickly changes when she is recruited into a league of sorceresses, and she is destined to come across Geralt.
II. Cast & Performances
Henry Cavill plays the hulking, grunting macho Geralt and gives his all to the character. He has stated in several interviews that this was a dream character for him and being a fan of the games, he wanted to play it. He brings out his gruff menacing side and is always the smartest person in the room with several witty retorts handy.
Anya Chalotra is the breakout star as the British actor gives a stellar performance as Yennefer. She is convincing, gripping, and her scenes with Cavill are the most enjoyable parts of the series. Both of them struggle in the earlier episodes, but when their storylines converge, it brings out the best in both of them.
Freya Allan is left to play the helpless dame as Ciri and is unable to do much with her scenes.
III. Visuals & Music
The massive open-world gameplay that fans of the series love is recreated spectacularly in the series. The massive Netflix budget is put to good use with a brilliant character design on the monsters and great CGI animation in Geralt’s fights against these nefarious beasts.
The makeup and costume departments also recreate all the main characters drawing references from the novel with great accuracy. A good score enhances the wide-angled country shots and the storytelling experience of the show.
IV. Detailed Review
While The Witcher was being compared to GOT ever since its announcement and trailer drop, it wanes in comparison to the HBO classic primarily for two reasons.
The initial episodes of the show follow a fixed format in which Geralt accepts a commission, we get a great deal of information about the monster he is going to fight and kills it by the end of the episode. This makes the show feel like levels in a video game, and the other characters and their storylines develop independently, taking a long time to converge.
The other reason is the absence of a deeper underlying plot and the ridiculously boring writing. There are several exchanges in which various tribes, creatures, and whatnot are mentioned in passing without going into any folklore. Viewers are expected to be well-versed in Witcher trivia and the confusing banter. The first 4 episodes feel like standalone adventures, and then there is no serious political, mythical, or dangerous plot to keep the viewers’ attention.
In all its seasons, GOT had multiple branching storylines and a rich storytelling experience that spanned the Seven Kingdoms, which the Witcher lacks. The actors can only do so much when stuck with such weak writing.
3. Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of the novels or the game, there is no reason you wouldn’t like this series. The people looking to binge another fantasy adventure will also not be disappointed as the show features solid acting, violent fights, and lots of nudity to keep your attention.
But to compare it to Game of Thrones is a mistake, and the show fails to set itself up as an epic saga and doesn’t even manage to introduce the rich and complex world of Spakowski’s books to those watching for the first time.
4. Grade
Story: B
Cinematography/Animation: B+
Acting: A-
Music: B
Direction: C
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