The first reviews for the fourth season of "The Witcher" series have appeared on Rotten Tomatoes, and they are record low. At the time of publication, the critics' rating is 55% — this is the worst result among all seasons of the main show. The audience rating is even lower — 25% based on several dozen ratings.
For comparison, the first season received 68% from critics and 88% from viewers, the second — 95% and 54%, and the third — 79% and 20% respectively.
Among the spin-offs, the animated film "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf" remains the best with 100% from critics and 83% from the audience, while "The Witcher: Blood Origin" holds the anti-record with 28% and 13%.
The fourth season is the first with Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia — the actor replaced Henry Cavill, who left the project due to creative differences with the showrunners and commitments to other projects.
Perhaps the rating will even out over time — initially, the season started with an even lower 50%. However, most reviewers agree that the fourth season turned out to be the weakest. Critics point to an uneven plot, inconsistent tone, and loss of charisma that Henry Cavill brought.
Jorge Rivera Rubio from QiiBO calls the season "slow, heavy, and disorganized," but praises the second half for "amazing fight scenes" and a "truly devious villain." Chase Hutchinson from The Wrap notes that Hemsworth is perceived "as an anchor tying everything together," and Nicola Austin from Radio Times laments that the series has "lost its magic."
Despite some successful moments, many critics believe that the fourth season of "The Witcher" feels like a story of a fallen hero trying to find his way, but unsuccessfully.