The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf

2021

1 hr. 23 min.

Fantasy

Action

Adventure

Animation

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List

100%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The world of The Witcher expands in this anime origin story: Before Geralt, there was his mentor Vesemir -- a swashbuckling young witcher who escaped a life of poverty to slay monsters for coin. But when a strange new monster begins terrorizing a politically-fraught kingdom, Vesemir finds himself on a frightening adventure that forces him to confront the demons of his past.

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Watch The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf with a subscription on Netflix.

Critics Consensus

Focusing on the adventures of a strapping young Vesemir, Nightmare of the Wolf is a fluidly animated addendum to the Witcher story that will delight fans with its swashbuckling action.

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Audience Consensus

With solid animation and a strong, action-packed story that's mostly faithful to the source material, Nightmare of the Wolf should satisfy the Witcher faithful.

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Jim L

I have no idea why everyone is giving this 5/5 stars. The action scenes sure were great and I like how gory it was. But the pacing and the general story made no sense! Each scene jumped around, providing little context. So you didn't feel connected to any of the characters, 90% of the time you're just confused on what's even happening. Like who wrote this? Honestly this was just a money grab. It's like watching a shitty action movie with the rock but in animation. Definitely don't waste your time, all the reviews are scams. Just watch the fight scenes on YouTube. Rest of the film is straight trash.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Kevin P

If you're a fan of The Witcher series, this film is a great addition to that storyline. It takes place some years before the events of the live action series and has a direct tie-in (which I won't mention here, to avoid spoilers). This film is animated, and it is just as graphic and exciting as The Witcher. More than monsters and magic—it also wrestles with the ethics of the Witchers' very existence.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

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Jacek H

Animation is really well done and it also fits the world of Sapkowski's writing really well. The best Witcher thing that Netflix has done, much better than the series under the direction of Lauren Hissrich.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Breno S

Totally surprised. Impeccable animation quality, it's amazing how the Japanese traits give such a sophisticated aesthetic to the productions. The story has significant changes, but what was told told well. As much as events occur quickly, the script is well written. The text is very serious and brutal from start to finish, but it also has its moments of humor, which by the way are well placed. The characters are interesting and their motivations understandable within that universe. Highlight for Vesemir, the key turn of his mentality is very well crafted and he has enormous charisma. I really like this difference in personality between him and Geralt in "youth". The brutality and gore of the animation, in addition to being necessary, perfectly matches the essence of the work, making it even more reliable. The fights are spectacular and dynamic and the carnage is visceral. It is a canonical production with references and Easter eggs that complement the series and make the new viewer even more curious and enchanted by this rich universe.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/15/23

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Movie L

In three words. I loved it, but it is not for kids

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/23

Full Review

ianbernardoful

It's a series abou the Witchers. Netflix should implementing this novel idea into the series with Henry Cavil. Absolute killer of a story, plot is crazy too. Super recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

Full Review

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Kwang-Il Han

Director

Theo James

Vesemir

Mary McDonnell

Lady Zerbst

Lara Pulver

Tetra

Graham McTavish

Deglan

Tom Canton

Filavandrel

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The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf: Trailer 1

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The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf: Teaser - Vesemir First Look

0:27

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf: Teaser - Date Announcement

0:44

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf: Teaser 2

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Is there a place for Western anime? This gory, grimdark prequel to Netflix's live-action series The Witcher answers with a resounding yes.

Sep 9, 2021

Full Review

Kambole Campbell

Little White Lies

Despite its efforts to deepen its fictional world, it's mostly the action that stands out.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 22, 2021

Full Review

Angie Han

Hollywood Reporter

While the film is unlikely to hold much appeal for Netflix subscribers who never cared about The Witcher to begin with, it's a worthy side quest for anyone with a passing interest in seeing more of the Continent.

Aug 20, 2021

Full Review

Ro Moore

What To Watch

A striking 81 minute character study wrapped in mayhem and magic. Like all good animated stories, it uses bright colors, fluid movement and excellent scoring to showcase its worldbuilding and a cast of characters with quirks and unexpected complexity

Rated: 4/5

Mar 5, 2022

Full Review

Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

The overarching themes of the movie are moral ambiguity and reckoning with one's past, and the story can be enjoyed on its own terms for those unfamiliar with this universe.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2021

Full Review

Asher Luberto

The Playlist

While there's no shortage of throat-slashing...by the time Nightmare of the Wolf reaches its operatic conclusion, the emotional payoffs feel earned and honest.

Rated: B-

Sep 4, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

The world of The Witcher expands in this anime origin story: Before Geralt, there was his mentor Vesemir -- a swashbuckling young witcher who escaped a life of poverty to slay monsters for coin. But when a strange new monster begins terrorizing a politically-fraught kingdom, Vesemir finds himself on a frightening adventure that forces him to confront the demons of his past.

Director: Kwang-Il Han
Executive Producer: Tomek Baginski, Jason F. Brown, Sean Daniel, Jaroslaw Sawko, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Kwang-Il Han
Screenwriter: Beau DeMayo, Beau de Mayo, Andrzej Sapkowski
Production Co: Studio Mir
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2021
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos

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