A clear lack of understanding and passion for the source material shine through, in generic and forgettable take on the Witcher.

The gritty, realistic and cold universe of the books and games, is replaced by a bland and forgettable americanized version.

A version that any fan would be hard pressed to recognize if it wasn't for the inclusion of the games version of Geralt, played by Henry Cavill.

Cavill's performance is great and feels like a window to a version of what this show could have been in the hands of someone with a relationship with the source material.

The efforts of his cast-mates ranges from uninspired to the immersion-breaking.

The shows first season have more than twice the budget of History Channel's first season of Vikings - but looks cheaper. An over-reliance on CGI amplify the cheap feel.

Adding to the near impossible taks of immersion is the Netflix'ification of the cast. Everyone from main characters to extras have been given a racial overhaul.

The original Witcher univers is realistic depiction of european life in the middle ages. The dread and danger of life in the middle ages enhanced by fantasy elements.

Every monster, creature and political action is an integral part of the universe and a deep detailed lore sells the univers. Which makes this a very awkward IP to race-swap in.

Unfortunately thats the approach Netflix have chosen, and it is done without any explanation or additional lore in-universe. Further removing this version from the attention to detail, meticulous universe-building and storytelling of the source material.

2 stars for Cavill's Geralt, and a glimpse of what could have been.