Critics Are Not Impressed with ‘The Witcher’ Season 4 – Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt Apparently to Blame

Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’ is back with its penultimate season today, but critics are not impressed.

The show currently has a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with much of the criticism aimed at Liam Hemsworth’s portrayal of Geralt of Rivia.

The Guardian wrote, “While his predecessor invested Geralt I with a gruff likability, Geralt II is less ‘valorous man-mountain grappling with responsibilities beyond our ken’ and more ‘bollard in a wig.'”

Similarly, Radio Times commented, “Hemsworth does his best with the material he’s been given, but his delivery and performance often falls flat – which may just prove the final straw for many long-time viewers.”

Slash Film added, “‘The Witcher’ sets up some major book moments in the end, but the impact of these familiar stakes feels dull, like a weapon that hasn’t been sharpened in ages. The potential inherent in Sapkowski’s world is immense, but the Netflix adaptation squanders it with season 4, which is the weakest entry in the franchise so far.”

The Wrap also criticized Hemsworth’s performance, writing, “Though it was always a tall order for Hemsworth to step into Cavill’s big shoes as the lead of an established ensemble beloved by the show’s audience, the new Geralt never rises to the occasion.”

Variety highlighted the changes in storytelling, noting, “In a much sharper and less convoluted season than the previous one, ‘The Witcher’ Season 4 is action-packed and full of dazzling characters both old and new. It acts as a reset, ironing out the confusing conflicts and plot points that have long plagued the series.”

CBR added, “While many viewers have already written off the series, it may be time for them to give Season 4 a chance as Liam Hemsworth proves that he was the right choice to take over as the iconic monster hunter of The Continent.”

Here are some more reviews:

Hemsworth does a fine job of wearing the witcher’s medallion, and the obvious distinctions in this rendition aren’t necessarily detrimental to the story.

Debopriyaa Dutta

As Cavill’s absence looms large over a story weighed down by uneven writing and tone, it’s clear that Netflix’s flagship fantasy series has lost its magic. Unless season 5 pulls off a (monster) miracle, this might be one quest even Geralt can’t complete.

Nicola Austin

Frustrating qualities plague the beginning of the season, but the last half of The Witcher Season 4 finds solid ground in good storytelling.

Kate Sánchez

Where Cavill brought a real presence to the role — managing to be gruffly funny in one moment and believably brutal in the next — Hemsworth is just an anchor around the entire experience from which “The Witcher” can’t shake free.

Chase Hutchinson

Hemsworth anticipated criticism before taking on the role.

He explained earlier last month, “There was quite a bit of noise and I had to put that aside. It started to become a distraction. I dealt with that sort of thing in the past a lot and, you know, at the end of the day, I love making movies and I love telling stories and acting. I just don’t want any of that to affect my way of telling the story that I’m trying to tell. I jumped off social media and the internet most of last year.”

Netflix first announced Henry Cavill’s departure in 2022. Showrunner Lauren Hissrich said the decision had been discussed for some time, as Cavill wanted to focus on other projects including Warhammer 40K and the Highlander reboot, which was delayed due to injury.

Hemsworth, who has long been a fan of The Witcher video games, said he was surprised when offered the role. “It came out of nowhere. I was as surprised as anyone,” he told reporters.

The Continent has shifted, and Ciri's at the centre of it. The Witcher Season 4 drops on 30th October. pic.twitter.com/mEIeSg9CZg

— The Witcher (@witchernetflix) October 7, 2025

Instead of trying to copy Cavill, Hemsworth studied the books and previous seasons to create his own version of Geralt. He said he connected with Geralt’s protective nature, relating it to his father’s work in child protection, and aimed to bring out the humor and humanity under Geralt’s tough exterior.

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