Critics were divided on The Witcher Season 4—and on Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt from Henry Cavill. Some reviewers found Hemsworth a capable successor; others felt Cavill’s screen presence remained a difficult comparison. Their broader complaints and praise also focused on the season’s pacing, story and action, so the recast alone does not explain its mixed reception.
What the review scores say
At retrieval on October 8, 2026, Metacritic listed a 59 Metascore based on 15 critic reviews: five positive, ten mixed and none negative. That is a changing aggregation of critics’ reviews, not a measure of audience opinion. Metacritic’s Season 4 page
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Last Kingdom: Season 1-5 Blu-Ray | $84.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Witcher Library Edition Volume 3 | $28.11 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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The Witcher Omnibus Volume 2 | $18.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The Witcher Volume 11: Blood Stone | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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McFarlane Toys Netflix The Witcher Geralt of Rivia (Season 2) 7" Action Figure with Accessories | $20.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Rotten Tomatoes showed a 61% Tomatometer in a search result retrieved the same day. The Tomatometer represents the share of approved critics who gave positive reviews; the accessible season-page excerpt did not provide the count behind that snapshot. The figure can change as reviews are added or updated. Rotten Tomatoes’ Season 4 page
These snapshots suggest a mixed critical response, not a verdict that every reviewer disliked Hemsworth or that the change in lead was the season’s only problem.
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- The Last Kingdom: Season 1-5 Blu-Ray
How critics judged Hemsworth as Geralt
The central disagreement is whether Hemsworth makes the role feel like his own, or whether Cavill’s established portrayal looms too large. Metacritic’s review excerpts capture both sides: Decider said Hemsworth fills the role “just fine,” while TheWrap called him “just an anchor around the entire experience.” RogerEbert.com’s review said he struggles to step out of Cavill’s shadow. These are distinct critics’ judgments, not a unanimous assessment. Metacritic’s review excerpts
There is also a relevant perspective from Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in the games. In an interview reported by PC Gamer at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, Cockle praised Hemsworth’s choice to make the part his own: “He’s different. He’s made it his own character, and that’s what he should have done as an actor, and I think he’s done a fantastic job.” That is an interview opinion from a closely associated performer—not a critic score or a representative measure of viewers’ response. PC Gamer’s report on Cockle’s comments
Rank #2
Why the season’s reception is about more than the recast
Review excerpts also point to an overburdened story and a familiar or tiring feel, while acknowledging strengths in the action, humor and cast. A reviewer can accept Hemsworth and still find fault with the writing or pacing; another can criticize his performance while appreciating other parts of the ensemble or the action. The mixed aggregate reflects reviews of the season as a whole, rather than isolating the new Geralt.
TechRadar’s review illustrates how sharply reactions to the season’s structure can differ even within one review: its writer found the opening episodes difficult to follow, but thought episodes five through eight could rank among the franchise’s strongest. That is one reviewer’s assessment, not a consensus finding. TechRadar’s Season 4 review
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Rank #3
What changed in Season 4
Season 4 premiered on October 30, 2025, and has eight episodes. Netflix identifies Hemsworth as Geralt and says all eight episodes are streaming on Netflix, subject to regional availability. Netflix’s Season 4 announcement
Netflix’s character guide describes Geralt at the start of the season as physically scarred and emotionally drained after the previous season, traveling with a new group of allies. That is the show’s official framing of the character, not an independent critical judgment. Netflix’s cast and character guide
Before release, showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich asked fans to “be willing to be surprised” by the changes and said the core of what they love was still there. Netflix also reported that Hemsworth wanted “to bring a sense of humor back to the show,” as recalled by Schmidt Hissrich. Those comments describe the creative team’s intentions; they do not establish how critics received the performance. Netflix’s Season 4 announcement Netflix’s cast and character guide
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Incredibly detailed 7” scale figure based off The Witcher on Netflix
- Figure features Geralt in his Season 2 armor
- Designed with Ultra Articulation with up to 22 moving parts for full range of posing
- Includes Geralt's steel sword and a base
- Showcased in The Witcher themed window box packaging
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