It’s hard to watch your favourite team break apart when the world around them burns. That’s exactly what The Witcher Season 4 gives us.
Netflix dropped the finale on October 30, 2025, and it left fans shocked and emotional. Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt earns his long-awaited knighthood but finds himself trapped in duty. Ciri’s life falls apart in blood and betrayal, while a dark beast begins to hunt from the shadows.
Key Takeaways On The Witcher Season 4 Ending Explained
- The finale sets up a grim start for Season 5.
- Geralt becomes a knight but loses his freedom.
- Ciri faces heartbreak as The Rats are wiped out.
- Yennefer regains her magic and faces Vilgefortz.
- Emhyr sets loose a deadly monster against Geralt.
A Quick Recap: Where Things Stood
Season 4 started after the chaos of the Thanedd coup that split Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri.
Geralt’s path: He travels with allies like Jaskier, Zoltan, Yarpen, Milva, Regis, and Cahir. Between monster hunts and old memories of his childhood dreams, Geralt gets pulled into battles he never wanted.
Yennefer’s journey: Stripped of magic early in the season, she regains it by joining the Lodge of Sorceresses. She plays both sides, betrays Vilgefortz, infiltrates Nilfgaard, and even ruins a fake royal wedding.
Ciri’s story: Disguised as Falka, she joins a group of young outlaws called The Rats – Mistle, Giselher, Iskra, Kayleigh, Reef, and Asse. Together they steal, fight, and love until betrayal tears them apart.
In the background, Emperor Emhyr plans to marry a false Ciri, and mage Nimue narrates everything a hundred years later through Jaskier’s stories. The finale, Episode 8 titled A Final Story, ties it all up with heartbreak and loss. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich calls it a turning point – “a loss of innocence.”
The Finale Breakdown
Ciri’s Nightmare:
After a failed heist, bounty hunter Leo Bonhart ambushes The Rats. The entire group dies violently – even Mistle, who is killed before Ciri’s eyes. Her Elder Blood bursts out in rage, but Bonhart still captures her. Now alone and broken, Ciri’s journey takes a darker turn.
Geralt’s Knighthood:
Geralt leads the Northern armies at the Battle of the Yaruga Bridge. Queen Meve rewards him with a title – Sir Geralt of Rivia. For a moment, it feels like a dream fulfilled, until he realizes he’s now bound to serve a kingdom. His sarcastic “f**k” says it all.
Yennefer’s Gamble:
Yennefer regains her full power and sneaks into Nilfgaard to expose the fake Ciri. She outsmarts Vilgefortz and has a brief reunion with Geralt. They promise to choose family over power, before she leaves again to face Vilgefortz on her own.
Emhyr’s Move:
Furious at the betrayal, Emhyr unleashes a terrifying beast marked with Renfri’s brooch something Geralt once held dear. It’s clear now: Emhyr’s next war won’t just be political, it’ll be personal.
The season ends with flames, blood, and Nimue whispering, “Their stories aren’t over.”
The Witcher Season 4 Major Deaths in the Finale
| Character/Group | How They Die | Why It Hurts |
|---|---|---|
| The Rats (Mistle, Giselher, Iskra, Kayleigh, Reef, Asse) | Killed by Bonhart | Ends Ciri’s only sense of family |
| Northern Soldiers | Battle of the Yaruga Bridge | Shows the cost of war |
| Vilgefortz’s Loyal Mages | Yennefer’s infiltration | Sets up darker magic experiments for Season 5 |
According to Hissrich, these deaths pave the way for “a painful but necessary redemption arc.”
Are Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri Together?
Almost, but not really. Geralt and Yennefer reunite briefly, finally admitting they’re family first. But Ciri is far away, captured and alone. The three are still connected through purpose, and all roads now point to a reunion in Season 5.
Fan Reactions On The Witcher Season 4
Online reactions have been explosive. Fans praised the emotional storytelling, calling Ciri’s scene “heart-shattering.” The Battle of the Yaruga and the background score “Rage Until the End” are trending. However, some viewers feel the pacing was too rushed and were upset about The Rats’ deaths.
Liam Hemsworth’s performance is dividing audiences, though many agree he brings a fresh energy to Geralt.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 4 sits at 78% critics and 65% audience. TIME Magazine described it as an “intimate shift from survival to family saga.”
What’s Next in Season 5?
Season 5, already filmed, adapts The Tower of the Swallow and Lady of the Lake. Expect darker stories and some shocking twists:
- Ciri’s survival: Bonhart’s deadly tournament and her escape through the Tower portal.
- Geralt’s hunt: Facing the beast Emhyr unleashed – possibly a dragon or striga.
- Yennefer’s revenge: She may fall into Vilgefortz’s traps again, leading to a brutal showdown at Stygga Castle.
- The war peaks: The fake Ciri plot collapses, and the real one rises stronger than ever.
- Nimue’s destiny: Becomes the Lady of the Lake, guiding Ciri’s powers.
The future looks dark, but hope is still alive. The family’s reunion feels closer than eve
