Netflix's despite the fantasy show getting mixed reviews. The dark and magical world of The Witcher stems from a book series by Polish writer, Andrzej Sapkowski. The books were then adapted into a gaming franchise, leaving us with this third iteration of Geralt of Rivia. The show follows the monster slayer across the landmass known as the Continent, as his destiny intertwines with those of a sorceress and young princess.
Currently, The Witcher sits at a meager 64% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes; the show has been criticized for being overly convoluted, especially to newcomers unfamiliar with the either the books or video games. Conversely, it seems to be soaring among audiences, coming it at an enormous 93%. Not only that, but The Witcher is one of Netflix's most in-demand series, and was among its most-binged of 2019. So what exactly is helping to retain the fanbase so well?
One of the major reasons for The Witcher's popularity is star Henry Cavill, who plays lead character Geralt of Rivia. Cavill is, of course, a huge name in the movie industry, and many people will recognize him as the one and only Superman. After playing the role of the DC comic superhero, his popularity went through the roof. Now his fame is growing even more thanks to The Witcher. One aspect is that Geralt is so different from other characters Cavill has played. The look, the acting, and the action are a drastic departure from what everyone is used to, and fans can’t get enough. Added to that, however, is that Cavill's performance is genuinely excellent, providing a strong lead for the entire show.
That said, The Witcher has many qualities beyond Cavill. In the first 5 minutes of watching The Witcher, viewers know exactly what they’re getting into. The world that Netflix has created is totally immersive, sending fans back in time to a medieval land of magic, filth, and wars. The sets and costumes are top-notch and the action sequences leave the audience on the edge of their seats. Likewise, the show has a video game feel, where every episode has its more or less self-contained mission for Geralt to fulfill. However it’s the overarching aspect of Ciri looking for Geralt throughout the entire show that helps keep people tuning in, with the series arc perfectly crafted for addictive binge-watching.
It also helps that The Witcher fills a hole in the TV landscape. In the last decade, The Witcher falls into the same vein as Game of Thrones with clear political undertones and medieval towns, but it also goes much deeper into the magical and fantasy aspects. In The Witcher there is a mage in every kingdom, perfecting their magical spells and talents, while horrifying monsters plague the woods and countryside. It’s this fresh reimagining that makes it so attractive to viewers.
There will always be some people that The Witcher simply won’t resonate with, but especially for those who know the books and play the games, Netflix has made a great adaptation that offers something for most viewers, whether that's the fantasy land, high production values, or simply listening to "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher".