I’ve been a fan of The Witcher since before it was made into a TV series or had huge trailers on Netflix. Sapkowski’s books, CD Projekt Red’s games — all of it became part of my personal world, which I returned to explore again and again. So when the series came out, I was excited… and, I admit, apprehensive. There was too much that could have been spoiled.
But after the first episode it became clear: Netflix did not let me down. The series turned out to be so atmospheric that from the first minutes I felt like I stepped back into this gloomy but familiar world, where witchers wander through the forests, monsters break out of the swamps, and magicians weave their intrigues. I was literally glued to the screen. The Witcher watch is now my personal ritual again, like once upon a time – to complete another branch of the quest.
Cavill’s Geralt Is Spot On
Henry Cavill has become more than just an actor in the leading role – he has become Geralt. Not a copy, not a stylization, but a real witcher, the way I imagined him when I read The Last Wish or played Wild Hunt. His hoarse “Hmm…”, tired look and silent disdain for politics make the image as real as possible.
What makes Cavill so great in this role?
- He’s a Witcher fan, and it shows.
- He doesn’t overdo it, but he also doesn’t make Geralt a “tough guy with a sword.”
- Every movement he makes in battle is like a dance, precise and measured.
I’m serious – if CD Projekt decided to make a movie based on games, they wouldn’t have to look for a new actor. He’s already here.
The atmosphere is like playing again
What won me over about the series? It didn’t try to be “another Game of Thrones.” Instead, it builds its own atmosphere. Dirty villages, foggy forests, gloomy witchers and rotten monsters – everything is done with love. Even the magic here doesn’t look like cheap CGI fireworks, but is woven into the plot neatly and effectively.
Here’s what’s especially cool about the implementation:
- Fight choreography – without pathos, but with character.
- Costumes and locations – it is clear that they tried to convey the spirit of the era.
- Monsters are not just enemies, but a part of the world, with history and meaning.
You look and remember how you hunted the goblin at night in Velen. Only now it’s not a gamepad in your hands, but tea and a blanket.
The plot gets stronger with each season.
If the first season was a bit choppy in places due to the chronology, then by the third season the series has finally come together as a whole. Now the storylines of Ciri, Yennefer and Geralt are logically and dramatically intertwined, and not as a set of separate quests. It feels like the stakes have been raised, and the plot is gaining weight.
What I especially like:
- Characters develop, rather than stand still.
- Political intrigue does not overshadow personal stories.
- An emotional attachment arises – to the characters, their fates, even secondary plots.
You are no longer just a spectator. You are back in this world. You live in it.
Why I’m Waiting for the New Series Again, Like in Childhood
Now, when we have so many series that you either drop after a couple of episodes or forget about after a week, The Witcher is an exception. I’m waiting for the sequel. Not because of the hype, but because it awakens old feelings in me: excitement, nostalgia, interest in the characters.
For me, this is a series that:
- brought back the magic of my beloved universe,
- not afraid to be dark and gloomy,
- and, most importantly, does not deceive fans, but respects them.
So thank you, Netflix. Thanks to you, I’m a Witcher again. Only now, on the couch, with a cup of tea. And you know what? That’s pretty damn cool, too.
P.S. If you’ve ever played The Witcher and thought, “It’s a shame I can’t feel that again,” try the series. It will bring those emotions back. And maybe even make them brighter.
