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The Witcher season 4 is not simply a referendum on whether Liam Hemsworth can replace Henry Cavill. Several critics find Hemsworth convincing in the role’s physical, brutal fights; the more persistent complaints concern the season’s difficult reorientation, uneven storylines and the emotional distance created by separating Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri. That makes the title’s claim persuasive as an interpretation, not a settled explanation for every viewer’s reaction.
Season 4 at a glance
Netflix released the eight-episode season on October 30, 2025. Hemsworth takes over as Geralt of Rivia, while Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan return as Yennefer and Ciri. The three begin the season apart, following the events of season 3. Netflix has described season 4 as the penultimate chapter, with season 5 planned as the show’s final season. Netflix’s season 4 release guide and cast guide provide the official details; the company also confirmed the production and final-season plan in its April 18, 2024 announcement.
| # | 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 |
Is Liam Hemsworth good as Geralt?
The reviews do not agree on a single answer, but they offer a useful distinction: Hemsworth’s physical performance tends to land more readily than his resemblance to Cavill’s screen persona. PC Gamer finds him convincing in the brutal fight scenes. GamesRadar+ likewise notes that he does not reproduce Cavill’s broader-chested silhouette or sardonic distance, while still judging the season more focused and fun.
That difference matters because a recasting is experienced through more than line delivery. Viewers who most associate Geralt with Cavill’s imposing build or dry, detached manner may feel the change sharply. But the action gives Hemsworth a chance to establish the character through movement and force, and What’s on Netflix calls his performance commendable. These are critical judgments, not proof that casting is or is not the cause of any individual viewer’s disappointment.
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#1 Best Overall
- The Last Kingdom: Season 1-5 Blu-Ray
Does the season make it easy to find your way back?
For some critics, the opening is a more immediate obstacle than the new Geralt. TechRadar says the first episodes are difficult to follow after the long gap and criticizes the season’s effort to reorient returning viewers. If the story feels muddled at first, that reaction may stem from how the season handles context and momentum rather than from Hemsworth’s performance.
The season’s basic setup is clear: its three central characters start out separated. What is less straightforward is how that arrangement plays across the story. For viewers returning after a break, the combination of a complicated narrative and a new lead actor can make it harder to tell which change is causing the disconnect.
Rank #2
What changes when Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri are apart?
The separation creates room for the show to follow its characters on different paths, but it also weakens the emotional pull of the trio as a unit. What’s on Netflix praises the action, spectacle, sentiment and new cast members, yet finds some storylines frustrating and the separated central trio less emotionally affecting. The result can feel less like one tightly joined family story and more like several strands competing for attention.
That shift also changes Geralt’s place in the ensemble. PC Gamer sees the series increasingly becoming an ensemble story in which Geralt can feel like a supporting presence. GamesRadar+ welcomes the additional space given to Chalotra and Allan. Whether that feels like welcome expansion or a loss of focus depends partly on what a viewer wants from the show: a Geralt-led adventure, or a broader story that gives its other leads more room.
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Rank #3
Where the season’s action works—and where the story falters
Action is one of the season’s stronger points in the reviews. TechRadar singles out the Battle of Montecalvo in episode six, while PC Gamer’s praise for Hemsworth’s fights and What’s on Netflix’s positive assessment of the spectacle point to a season with considerable visual and physical energy. TechRadar also highlights Laurence Fishburne’s performance as Regis.
The enthusiasm is not uniform across the storytelling. What’s on Netflix finds some plotlines frustrating, and the unevenness can blunt the impact of individual set pieces. A strong battle or a compelling new performance does not automatically make every story thread clear or emotionally satisfying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How divided is the response?
At access on October 8, 2026, Rotten Tomatoes displayed a 61% Tomatometer based on 28 reviews and a 19% Popcornmeter based on more than 2,500 ratings. These are Rotten Tomatoes’ live platform aggregates, not a stable measure of overall opinion or a controlled survey; the site’s scores can change as reviews and ratings are added. The gap indicates that critics and users represented on the platform were responding differently at that snapshot, but it cannot explain why.
The written reviews make the division easier to understand than either score alone: GamesRadar+ finds the season brisk, focused and fun; TechRadar objects to its opening orientation; What’s on Netflix values its spectacle but finds parts of the story frustrating; and PC Gamer sees an ensemble that sometimes sidelines Geralt. Taken together, those judgments support a qualified version of the headline: Hemsworth is not the only plausible source of dissatisfaction, even though comparisons with Cavill remain part of the experience.
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
Who should watch season 4?
Season 4 is most likely to work for viewers willing to accept a changed Geralt and interested in action, a wider ensemble and more attention to Yennefer and Ciri. It may be a tougher return for anyone who needs a quick, clear recap of the story or whose main attachment is to Cavill’s particular physical presence and dry delivery. The reviews do not settle whether it is better or worse than earlier seasons for every audience; they point instead to different strengths and frustrations.
If the show leaves you wanting more context or a different route through its world, Netflix identifies the series as an adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books. Reading the Witcher novels is an optional way to explore the source material, rather than a prerequisite for following the show.
Quick Recap
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