has replaced the iconiccape with some sleek white locks and a shiny, sharp sword in Netflix’s new fantasy series,. Based on the popular stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski,?which spawned?the wildly popular video game?series, the eight-episode first season follows the story of swordsman-for-hire Geralt of Rivia,?whose?supernatural skills?come in handy for profession:?hunting monsters. In the series, the solitary warrior?seeks princess-in-exile Ciri () and runs across sorceress Yennefer (),?who is just discovering?her powers at the outset of season 1.

Henry CavillMan of SteelThe WitcherFreya AllanAnya Chalotra

As with most recent genre shows of this ilk, comparisons have already been made to. Netflix has already seen value in their highly-anticipated series and?in November. A studio’s confidence and noteworthy buzz can work wonders for a fledgling program such as this. But has Netflix’s bet paid off? WillThe Witcherscratch that White Walker itch? And is the Cavill-starrer strong enough to hack-and-slash its way through the ever-cluttered realm of Peak TV to make an impact?Game of Thronesrenewed?The Witcherfor a second season

Here’s what critics are saying aboutThe Witcher.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO THE BOOKS?

Fans of the books and the game are likely to have a field day with the swarm of character references throughout, and whilst it’s paying fan service with how casually these names are mentioned, general unversed audiences may need to pay a bit more closer attention, especially when Cavill is speaking as his low growl can often be inaudible. ?—, This Is FilmPeter Gray

The problem is, there’s very little reason to get invested enough to attempt to make sense of the whole thing. From the jump, in the very first episode, characters constantly yammer at Geralt about “destiny” this and “destiny” that, which isn’t nearly as interesting in 2019 as it might have been in the 1980s when the stories were originally published. Even if you love the original stories and books, they’re remixed and altered here to the point that they often no longer make sense. —, GameSpotMichael Rougeau

In faithfully adapting the book it brings with it some questionable elements, but it at least adapts these tales with a more modern sensibility. ? —, Little White LiesKambole Campbell

Indeed, the one thing that I worry viewers might dislike about The Witcher is that without a strong knowledge of the books, or at least a good grasp on fantasy fiction in general, this show might require some hard work. Game of Thrones is, quite simply, easier to get into.? —, Forbes Erik Kain

DOES HENRY CAVILL SLAY?

Henry Cavill’s character?… could scan as a spin on the actor’s most notable prior role. Monster hunter Geralt of Rivia resembles a reclusive medieval Superman—all principle, brawn, and jawline—clad in a white wig and cat-like contact lenses. But rather than reheating the Man of Steel, Cavill quickly melts into Geralt, capturing his aloof yet winsome confidence with sardonic one-liners and baritone grunts. —, Slant MagazineNiv M. Sultan

Thankfully, Cavill as Geralt is beyond anything I expected. While this is a testament to Cavill’s acting, its also because of his ability to nail the physicality that the role deserves. ??—, But Why ThoKate Sanchez

Cavill delights in every grimace as his grimy, sour Geralt traverses locales familiar to anyDungeons & Dragonscampaign. Candle-strewn taverns, pornographic wizard illusions, and foolish nobles—no matter the job, Geralt perseveres in true Lawful Neutral form (to keep things inD&Dterms). A bemused yet not unkind cynicism comes across in Cavill’s slow baritone and rare, slight smile. It’s the best he’s been aside fromThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.and everyone either hates him or is horny for him.? —, Paste Magazine Jacob Oller

READ ALSO:?Henry Cavill on Why He Had To Play the Witcher

HOW’S THE REST OF THE CAST?

Showrunner Lauren Hissrich and executive producer Tomek Baginski really knocked the casting out of the park with this series. Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey all bring the necessary gruff, edge, and charm of their famous characters to life throughout the series, and they contrast incredibly well with each other once they all get a chance to unite on screen. ? —, comicbookMatthew Aguilar

While Cavill is the famous face, it’s actually a three-lead show with three distinct storylines, co-starring the Anya Chalotra as the trainee witch Yennefer, and Freya Allan as Ciri, a fugitive teen princess. These two young women are much more interesting than Geralt, partly because they have solid character arcs, but mostly because Henry Cavill is a block of beautifully carved wood.? —, Daily Dot Gavia Baker-Whitelaw

HOW?DETAILED IS THE WORLD-BUILDING?

The production design does look impressive and you really get the sense that money is being fired at this to give it every possible opportunity. The difference, however, is that while ‘The Witcher’ may exist in a fantastical world, you can never really shake the feeling that you’re looking at a set, or that you’ve seen some of this before. ??—, entertainment.ieBrian Lloyd

There’s not quite enough fully developed characters to make this feel like a big ensemble show like “Thrones,” and so we crave a single center of gravity. The decentralized aspect of “The Witcher,” instead, emphasizes certain faults, like how Cavill doesn’t quite embody the Han Solo aspect of his roguish-hero role enough to hold the screen fully. ??—, VarietyDaniel D’Addario

HOW ARE ITS FIGHT SCENES?

One fight sequence towards the end of episode one is quite special, seemingly achieved in one unbroken take and with Cavill visibly involved, instead of a stunt double. —, Hindustan TimesRohan Naahar

Violence and sexuality are both major components of the source material, andThe Witchercertainly doesn’t skimp in either category. The aforementioned carving up of the village riffraff is gruesome, as are Geralt’s frequent encounters with all manner of sinister creatures, and there’s no shortage of bare bodies on display.? —, Lamplight ReviewBrent Hankins

That’s the real star ofThe Witcher: the fight scenes. Filled with terrifying monsters, brutal thugs, and shots lifted straight from classic horror movies, each battle has been so stylishly executed, they almost feel sensual.The Witcher’s fight scenes aren’t merely good enough to be entertaining, they’re “make you scream like you’re at a playoff game” great. ??—, Decider Kayla Cobb

WhereThe Witchersucceeds is in its action sequences. A face-off between the super-human Geralt and a Lovecraftian nightmare in a crumbling castle is gruesome and fast-paced. And a struggle between the anti-hero and his lover (Emma Appleton) is appropriately heart-rending. If you like this sort of thing, it’s worth putting up with the bleary plot and dialogue just to get from one confrontation to the next. ? —, Daily Telegraph (UK) Ed Power

WAIT, IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE?FUNNY?

Worse, the wink, wink nature of the oddly misplaced humor makes clear that the writers are clearly trying to have their cake and eat it too, which comes off like an eleven-year-old who’s satisfied enough by dipping a finger into the frosting before licking it off instead of making an actual meal. ? —, The PlaylistAndrew Bundy

“The Witcher” has a lighthearted sense of humor — another difference between it and “Game of Thrones,” whose jokes landed with the force of tankards slammed on oaken boards. We’re not talking high comedy, but you could do worse than watching Cavill, as Geralt, pour out his troubles to his horse, the only creature the Witcher will really open up to. ? —, New York Times Mike Hale