The Witcher

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 20, 2019
Season #: 4, 3.5, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2682 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,028 out of 2682
  2. Mixed: 201 out of 2682
  3. Negative: 453 out of 2682

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User Reviews

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  1. TIZ
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    Great so far, already reviewed it. I guess this is a second link that leads to the individual season?
    Really annoying, why did metacritic introduce this?
  2. Demikly
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    Nailed it.

    Cavill lives and breathes the role.

    The production values are off the hook too, slow burn, but worth the wait!!
  3. BarG
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    This is an amazing show, characters, visuals, something fresh, lore, everything is there! Story is a bit bumpy but the books themselves had story problems, and did not care enough to present the lore. The books almost did not care about explaining every single lore details, Sapkowski pushed you to deep water so you would learn how to swim yourself and it is freaking awesome!

    P.S. the guys    This is an amazing show, characters, visuals, something fresh, lore, everything is there! Story is a bit bumpy but the books themselves had story problems, and did not care enough to present the lore. The books almost did not care about explaining every single lore details, Sapkowski pushed you to deep water so you would learn how to swim yourself and it is freaking awesome!

    P.S. the guys from entertainment weekly demonstrate total unprofessionalism, the review has to be banned since it is really bias and clearly not applicable since reviewer saw only one episode. I wish metacritic had a function to report this kind of “reviews”    … Expand
  4. vonervy
    Dec 20, 2019
    8
    Great action, captures the essence of the books. Needs improvement on pacing.
  5. huberdriver
    Dec 20, 2019
    8
    Theres only one hour from the release yet and some critics are already writing about how slow and weird is this series. If you want to find out go watch it and discover for yourself, for now its been really faithful to the witcher books and the plot is already showing itself. Let's take this first season with a good look because we know how hard is to have something on this caliber relatedTheres only one hour from the release yet and some critics are already writing about how slow and weird is this series. If you want to find out go watch it and discover for yourself, for now its been really faithful to the witcher books and the plot is already showing itself. Let's take this first season with a good look because we know how hard is to have something on this caliber related to video games and nerd world. And honestly? im on the second episode and so far its been really good.… Expand
  6. alfi
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    Série muito boa e que passa bem as coisas do livro, pois foi adaptado deles e não do jogo em si, qie na verdade se passam depois dos livros.
  7. Gwynblaidde
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    The story was awesome but there were some problems with time line but as a witcher fan i loved it
  8. kozzy420
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    Half way through the first episode and this is FANTASTIC. As a HUGE fan of the books and also someone who enjoyed the games, this is really good so far!
  9. LongMuckDong
    Dec 20, 2019
    10
    A must see for anyone who loves fantastic, adult level nudity and great monsters. 4 episodes in, I need more than another 4!!!!
  10. Tim160294
    Dec 22, 2019
    10
    Maybe in the second season when we get a more linear story, the critics understand the story. But hey, they had problmes with 3 and then just 2 timelines in the end.
  11. Aryman
    Dec 21, 2019
    10
    A bit too theatrical (lighting, close-ups on faces ... Could use more broad plans), but generally a great series (I write this as a fan of books and games). Henry as Geralt sweeps, also great role of Yennefer and Ciri. The best swordfights I've seen on TV and movies - what a choreography! A few moving moments - the question about the choice in the Renfri case will be forever not only inA bit too theatrical (lighting, close-ups on faces ... Could use more broad plans), but generally a great series (I write this as a fan of books and games). Henry as Geralt sweeps, also great role of Yennefer and Ciri. The best swordfights I've seen on TV and movies - what a choreography! A few moving moments - the question about the choice in the Renfri case will be forever not only in the heart of Geralt ... I highly recommend.… Expand
  12. Monges
    Dec 22, 2019
    9
    -
    Yen - she is beautiful, big eyes, etc, but miscasting
    Triss - same as Yen
    Where is the second sword on the back of Gerald

    +
    all other thing is almost pretty good
  13. Flipsyde27
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    I don't get the negative reviews, this show is great fun. Henry Cavill was born to play Geralt, I was concerned with his casting at first but he nails it, all the way down to the voice. The action is great, the story can get confusing, that would be my only gripe. Can't wait for season 2
  14. wingslax22
    Dec 25, 2019
    10
    Great show. True to the important parts of the complex story, which probably confused the impatient critics.
  15. PepperPipka
    Dec 25, 2019
    10
    10/10.

    One of the best tv shows of 2019.

    Despite the skepticism the show surpassed all expectations.

    Script, casting, acting, soundtrack, visuals and atmosphere - OMG, it's great!

    Registered here just to say that this show deserves far more better score than it has.

    Give it max score and all my support.

    Thank you to creators!

    Can't wait for Season 2.
  16. nbt98001
    Jan 6, 2020
    7
    Cavill does great as Geralt. Nice special effects and swordplay. Storyline can be hard to follow even though you are familiar with the story and characters.
  17. capt_morgan
    Dec 25, 2019
    8
    Critics are wrong; this is a great series with each scene like a a new story. The lighting, scenery, and wardrobes top notch production.
  18. MichaelPraytor
    Dec 24, 2019
    10
    I liked Wild Hunt but didn't play the previous games and haven't read the books, so I've got no dog in this fight. And I was skeptical when I first saw Cavill Geralt. After 15 minutes I was sucked in. The first episode is really something with spectacular scenes, and every subsequent episode just keeps upping the ante. The critics, as usual these days, are not in touch with the audience. II liked Wild Hunt but didn't play the previous games and haven't read the books, so I've got no dog in this fight. And I was skeptical when I first saw Cavill Geralt. After 15 minutes I was sucked in. The first episode is really something with spectacular scenes, and every subsequent episode just keeps upping the ante. The critics, as usual these days, are not in touch with the audience. I suspect it's mainly political. Don't let that deprive you of watching a really great, fresh, and interesting show.… Expand
  19. ninja_critic
    Dec 24, 2019
    8
    As a person who have read all of he books I feel relatively competent to write this review. Show is good, worthy of recommendation, but in my opinion more so if you have read stories earlier. Plot is twisted in the timeline, events in this same episode are dozens of years apart, which may be very confusing to some viewers. Is it a drawback? To some extend.
    Thanks to this way of    As a person who have read all of he books I feel relatively competent to write this review. Show is good, worthy of recommendation, but in my opinion more so if you have read stories earlier. Plot is twisted in the timeline, events in this same episode are dozens of years apart, which may be very confusing to some viewers. Is it a drawback? To some extend.
    Thanks to this way of storytelling show is more dynamic and gives you an opportunity to get more attached to each character before their paths cross but may give you a hard time to comprehend what is really happening.
    Show lacks a lot of Sapkowski's sense of humor but fighting sequences make up for it in my opinion. I was sceptic about the music at firs, especially Jaskier's ballads, but I have to admit it, its growing on me over time.
    In my opinion its worthy of score of 8, I have no idea why critics gave ti 5 on average. This show is not ground-breaking but it is fun to watch and I have confidence that next season will even be better.    … Expand
  20. OSPerry
    Dec 25, 2019
    8
    A really decent series. Very hard to follow at first but makes more sense the longer you watch and the better it gets. Can't wait till next season. I would think next season will be more straight forward and even better potentially.
  21. ztilleto
    Dec 26, 2019
    9
    It is good to have a series that actually makes people have to watch it to follow along.
    95% of series today, I can pick up my phone mid episode do other things put it back an continue to watch the episode knowing exactly what have happened.
    The Witcher however you need to be on your toes as it cuts between the different timelines and plots through each episode. It was a great series for    It is good to have a series that actually makes people have to watch it to follow along.
    95% of series today, I can pick up my phone mid episode do other things put it back an continue to watch the episode knowing exactly what have happened.

    The Witcher however you need to be on your toes as it cuts between the different timelines and plots through each episode. It was a great series for one that have loved the games, and makes me want to go back and replay as well as pick up the books.    … Expand
  22. Emphatic
    Dec 26, 2019
    9
    If Anne Rice and the Original Creator of the source material are on board you can't deny this show has some potential! After watching all Episodes in their entirety, I can say the show can at times feel a little off pace here and there, but that is to be expected when introducing a whole new generation or two of people to a world of characters and themes, so that can easily be forgiven. AsIf Anne Rice and the Original Creator of the source material are on board you can't deny this show has some potential! After watching all Episodes in their entirety, I can say the show can at times feel a little off pace here and there, but that is to be expected when introducing a whole new generation or two of people to a world of characters and themes, so that can easily be forgiven. As the series progresses the story becomes more gripping and the characters draw you in, they have an inexorable ability to surprise you with things that you didn't expect even if you know the books/games/characters well (Geralt Grunts abound!) I think any open minded Dark Fantasy fan will find a good time here and even some skeptics might be swayed if if they give the show its proper due, unlike some shoddy ET writers did...All in all a great starting point and I look forward to the next season in 2021!… Expand
  23. cbenussi
    Dec 25, 2019
    8
    Muy buena serie, gran adaptación! Un must para el que haya jugado los juegos
  24. straycat73
    Dec 25, 2019
    9
    A well filmed adaptation of very good books. Successful casting. Dark stories, just like in life.
  25. Iann22
    Dec 25, 2019
    7
    Despite the terrible casting and hideous Nilfgaardian armor I somehow managed to enjoy the show.
    Henry did a good job, special effects were decent and the plot was also OK. The time jumps between the main protagonists story lines were confusing, simple (past/present) information would make it more understandable.
    As I was told, the Nilfgaardian armor was designed with penis shaped    Despite the terrible casting and hideous Nilfgaardian armor I somehow managed to enjoy the show.
    Henry did a good job, special effects were decent and the plot was also OK. The time jumps between the main protagonists story lines were confusing, simple (past/present) information would make it more understandable.
    As I was told, the Nilfgaardian armor was designed with penis shaped helmets and ballsack armor to show the male patriarchy. Who ever did this should be fired! I rate this 7/10 only due to positive outlook for season 2.    … Expand
  26. Jaguarnero
    Dec 25, 2019
    7
    If there is one thing that the vast majority of these reviews online have made me realize, it is that most critics are really quite terrible, uninspired, and poor at their craft... if you could call it craft at all. Some of the reviewers here are quite honestly just lazy. I don’t know who pays them, but I sure as hell wouldn’t. Also, as for a large portion of the online users who cry outIf there is one thing that the vast majority of these reviews online have made me realize, it is that most critics are really quite terrible, uninspired, and poor at their craft... if you could call it craft at all. Some of the reviewers here are quite honestly just lazy. I don’t know who pays them, but I sure as hell wouldn’t. Also, as for a large portion of the online users who cry out about other races of people in the show... you do realize it’s a fantasy series and there certainly could be black people anywhere in a fantasy series? The nerve of these people. As for the show, it’s pretty good. Kind of like Merlin crossed with GoT. It could be a little better, but it’s really quite enjoyable.… Expand
  27. mchahad
    Dec 25, 2019
    9
    I'm a great fan of The Witcher books and games and I realy liked the first season. But, in my opinion, the history of Geralt (about the Witchers) could be more explored. For the fans of the world of The Witcher, the first season was very clear, but for whom whose never had heard about the history, I believe it was very confusing.
    My suggestion is to add, on the next season, more scenes    I'm a great fan of The Witcher books and games and I realy liked the first season. But, in my opinion, the history of Geralt (about the Witchers) could be more explored. For the fans of the world of The Witcher, the first season was very clear, but for whom whose never had heard about the history, I believe it was very confusing.
    My suggestion is to add, on the next season, more scenes showing Geralt getting prepared to fight monsters (one example is the scene of Geralt fighting with Striga on the CG animation).
    I think it would be interesting to show the Witcher side of Geralt and what he can do with his powers, knowledge of potions and tracking monsters.    … Expand
  28. cgrossi
    Dec 25, 2019
    10
    Awesome show. Don't listen to the negative review. I binged this in a day. I was skeptical of Henry Cavil as Geralt but he absolutely nailed it.
  29. PeterWuzHere
    Dec 24, 2019
    9
    I was skeptical because of the cast they chose but it definitely was worth watching and has me hyped up for a second season.
  30. Modiculous
    Dec 24, 2019
    9
    Was a great show. Not sure where the hate is coming from. If you like Super natural and GOT , etc this is the show for you. It has action, intrigue cool lore
    And fantastic back story. Can’t wait for season 2
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
77
#77 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Nick Hilton
    Jan 3, 2020
    40
    The Witcher is a messy tangle of plotlines in a world underdeveloped to the point of obscurity.
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  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jan 3, 2020
    60
    As a mindless fantasy rollercoaster, Geralt’s journey is five stars all the way to tea-time. Sadly, for those who like brains with their brawn, it may be more of a slog.
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  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Judy Berman
    Dec 20, 2019
    30
    It takes a while for viewers to learn how these characters are connected, via an exasperating Westworld-esque narrative knot that takes much of the season to unfurl. ... The Witcher heightens our confusion by fumbling details that would have helped it set a cohesive tone. Dialogue vacillates, from line to line, between theatrical fantasy-speak and modern colloquialisms (“Dragons are, in fact, a thing!”).
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