Based on the multiple cult fantasy novels and short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is a big, bold battle of good versus evil, magic, sword fights and dastardly deeds.
The Witcher himself, Gerait of Rivia (Henry Cavill at his eye candy best) is a loner, a powerful warrior of indeterminate age, a product of a conversion process few boys survive. An outsider, feared and frowned upon in equal measure, Gerait travels the medieval countryside battling monsters and gremlins for a fee. As he comes across the powerful mage, Stregobor (Lars Mikkelson), the kingdom of Cintra is sacked by Nilfgaardia: the only survivor of Cintran royal blood is the young princess, Cirilla (Freya Allen).
In rejecting Stregobor’s advances of a mutually beneficial alliance, Gerait creates an enemy – but he also discovers his fate is tied to that of Cirilla, somewhere in hiding and on the run from Nilfgaardian troops. The eight part first season of The Witcher, based on the short stories that precedes the first novel, follows the two as their separate paths inevitably come together.
A series full of adventure, murder, lust and earthy profanity, The Witcher is a charisma of brawny charm, thrills and old-fashioned fun. Elves, witches, minstrels (splendid lighthearted relief from Joey Batey as Jaskier), monsters, curses all feature as Gerait is confronted by those who would prevent him finding Cirilla. And that includes Yennefer of Vanderberg (Anya Chalotra), the all-powerful young witch for whom lusty emotions are stirred for an unsuspecting Gerait as powerful magic and determined politics of war and power unfold.
Rating: 69%
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