The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, an upcoming animated film based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story A Little Sacrifice, offers a fresh perspective on Geralt of Rivia’s adventures—a perspective that highlights what Netflix’s The Witcher series may have gotten wrong in its adaptation. While the movie is part of the same universe as the Netflix show, it takes a different approach by focusing on a standalone story. Geralt will not be voiced by either Liam Hemsworth or Henry Cavill, but by Doug Cockle, who voiced the character in the Witcher video games. The film also features Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra reprising their roles as Jaskier and Yennefer, respectively.
This isn’t the first animated Witcher film to expand the franchise’s universe. In 2021, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf centered on a young Vesemir and received critical acclaim, scoring a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Unlike the Netflix series, which has faced challenges in appealing to both casual viewers and diehard fans, the animated films have managed to capture the right balance of tone and pacing.
While it’s too early to judge Sirens of the Deep, the movie has the potential to better capture the essence of The Witcher by adapting one of its most beloved short stories.
Sapkowski’s The Witcher saga consists of nine books, with the first two being short story collections. Geralt of Rivia, introduced through these standalone tales, soon became the focal point of broader narratives, particularly in the Witcher video games. This episodic structure seemed ideal for a live-action series, and Netflix’s The Witcher initially embraced this format. Season 1 focused on a few short stories, although with a complex timeline. However, as the series progressed into seasons 2 and 3, it shifted toward larger, overarching plots about the Continent and its factions.
This shift made The Witcher feel less like a direct adaptation of Sapkowski’s world and more like a high-stakes political drama akin to Game of Thrones. While the intricate political battles and complex lore are key to the novels, they began to overshadow Geralt’s personal story. In contrast, Sirens of the Deep sticks to a simpler narrative—one of Geralt’s many isolated missions—which is more in line with the original spirit of the books.
The Witcher series could have benefited from more of these self-contained adventures. Although the first three seasons did incorporate elements from Sapkowski’s short stories, the show often became too convoluted. Multiple spinoff setups, political maneuverings, and battles for power overshadowed Geralt’s role, making him feel like an afterthought in his own show. A slower, more episodic approach might have allowed for a deeper exploration of Geralt’s world before diving into more complex, overarching plots.
While the live-action series has already set the stage for larger narratives in future seasons, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep offers a refreshing break. It focuses on a simple, standalone adventure that highlights what the Netflix series may have missed—Geralt’s adventures in their purest form.
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