Henry Cavill plays the name part in "The Witcher," but giving a pulse to the present dreary medieval fantasy series is just too much of employment even for Superman.
Netflix is unquestionably hoping the show will scratch the "Game of Thrones" itch, while merely demonstrating how difficult that brand of magic is to conjure.
Cavill is Geralt of Rivia, a mutant slayer of monsters, gruffly navigating a world of broadswords and bloody battles.
He's on a collision course with two other characters: Ciri (Freya Allan), a young princess unaware of her importance, pursued by forces unknown after her kingdom falls; and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), a hunchback who -- cast out by her family -- gradually comes into her own as a strong sorceress.
Based on a series of bestselling books that have also spawned a well-liked game, this season of "The Witcher" is burdened by a general stiffness, from the performances to the dialogue.
Despite his arresting look under those flowing pale locks, Cavill's voice seldom rises above a coffee growl.
One would think a show crammed with an abundance of blood, royal intrigue, the occasional orgy, and fantasy characters like elves and gnomes would have the requisite ingredients to carry your interest.
Everything here, however, feels generic -- a minimum of for those that aren't immersed within the source -- without forging much of a bond with the characters. There's also a nasty habit of repeating key lines of dialogue, to the purpose where if you took a drink whenever someone mentions "destiny," you'd never make it through a whole hour, much less the eight-episode run.
As noted, the top of "Game of Thrones" left a void that premium services are eagerly attempting to fill, the disadvantage being that mounting such fare -- and "The Witcher" certainly looks expensive -- represents no small investment, compounding the pain if it goes wrong.
Like any fantasy series supported a longtime property, "The Witcher" should generate a measure of curiosity, bolstered by marking Cavill's first TV flight since it had been reported last year that he would be hanging up his cape. the foremost compelling character actually seems to be Yennefer, which isn't enough to form the series desire quite a tepid addition to an already-saturated genre.
"The Witcher" seemingly comes well equipped to try to to battle for viewers, but there is no getting around its dull edges. Geralt is told quite once that, during this brutal world, he must "choose the lesser evil." Happily, those trying to find something to observe -- whether on Netflix or one among its rivals -- possess a wider range of options.