Compare The Witcher, Season 4 vs IT: Welcome To Derry

One reviewer blamed the season’s staging and execution for failing to make key material convincing.

Direction earns strong praise for atmosphere, visual control, and the show's most effective horror sequences.

One reviewer enthusiastically approved of the season’s brutal violence and its fit with the grimdark material.

The violence is extremely graphic and can be effective horror for some viewers, while others find it excessive or hard to watch.

A small group of strongly negative reviewers found the broader acting weak, especially outside the better-received standout performers.

Performances are one of the most dependable strengths, with frequent praise for both the child ensemble and key adult leads despite a few complaints about stilted moments.

One reviewer felt Geralt’s modern-looking outfit lacked the medieval-fantasy character expected from the setting.

Cars, clothing, sets, and social context often sell the 1960s setting, though one critic found the era artificial and unlived-in.

The Rats are the biggest likability problem by far, with many reviewers calling them annoying, boring, or unpleasant. Some other character arcs fare better, but the repeated Rats complaints dominate.

The core kids are often easy to root for, and several reviewers became emotionally attached to them quickly.

The opening episode was a frequent stumbling block, criticized for confusion, clumsy exposition, and a poor reintroduction to the story.

The premiere is widely seen as bold and memorable, with its opening and late twist frequently singled out even by otherwise negative critics.

One reviewer strongly objected to the season’s approach to diversity and representation, seeing it as intrusive rather than organic to the setting.

The focus on racism, civil rights, and Indigenous history is often seen as meaningful, but some critics call parts of the treatment shallow, stereotyped, or heavy-handed.

Music reactions range from top-notch to generic or poorly used, leaving the season’s score more divisive than its visuals.

The music is repeatedly praised for heightening dread without overwhelming the drama.

The companion Rats spin-off was received very poorly by one reviewer, who described watching it as self-punishment.

The prequel's value is contested: some call it essential or worthy, while others see it as unnecessary franchise extension.

Casting reactions are split: several additions were praised, but critics also objected to recasts and some ensemble choices, leaving the overall casting uneven.

Casting, especially among the younger performers, receives strong praise and is repeatedly treated as a major asset.

Individual episode construction is inconsistent, with complaints about flashback-heavy detours and awkward placement even when certain episodes stand out positively.

The dual child/adult structure can broaden Derry effectively, while the strongest pilot uses its setup and reversals especially well.

One reviewer felt an important confrontation generated no tension at all, undercutting the intended suspense.

Suspense is inconsistent; the best sequences build real dread, but weak CGI and fragmented plotting often break tension.

Source fidelity is one of the biggest fault lines. Some reviewers welcome portions of the adaptation, but many strongly criticize changed character fates, motivations, relationships, and lore.

The expansion feels King-like to some critics, while others question creative liberties or fan-fiction-like additions.

The finale has memorable action but does not fully satisfy everyone as a season endpoint, with some calling it structurally clumsy or incomplete.

The later episodes and finale earn substantial praise for spectacle and payoff, though a few critics found the ending bland or disappointing.

Creature work and larger effects are usually praised, with several reviewers highlighting monsters and spectacle even when CGI in some fights drew separate criticism.

Effects quality varies sharply by episode, improving late in the season but suffering from conspicuous digital work earlier.

One reviewer enjoyed the whimsy and creativity of the season’s more unusual storytelling choices.

Opinions split between fresh expansion of King lore and the sense that the show is repeating the Losers Club formula.

A positive reviewer found the season highly enjoyable as a streamlined, brutal grimdark fantasy adventure.

Horror effectiveness is highly uneven: some critics found the series terrifying and inventive, while others found many scares silly, repetitive, or too CGI-heavy.

One reviewer found the Montecalvo battle hard to believe because inexperienced mages withstand an enemy presented as overwhelmingly powerful.

Added rules and weaknesses around Pennywise sometimes make the entity feel less unknowable or less threatening.

A positive review praised Yennefer’s arc for exploring leadership, sacrifice, ambition, and moral duty with meaningful depth.

Themes of fear, racism, collective apathy, and cycles of violence can add real weight, though some critics find the treatment too broad or didactic.

Leo Bonhart is the most consistently praised element in the entire season. Reviewers repeatedly call him menacing, memorable, frightening, and a standout new antagonist.

Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise is usually a highlight when present, but many critics complain that the clown is held back too long or underused.

Development is uneven. Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri receive meaningful growth in some reviews, while others say rushed flashbacks and altered characterization fail to earn those changes.

Many critics connect with the layered fears, grief, and friendships, although some reviews find portions of the ensemble underwritten.

Story reactions are deeply split. Supporters see a clearer, more cohesive adventure, while detractors call it fragmented, underdeveloped, or little more than setup for season five.

The season earns praise for ambitious lore and emotional stakes, but the military plot and overloaded structure divide critics.

Reduced nudity was noted, but one reviewer still found the remaining intimate scenes gratuitous.

One family-oriented review strongly objects to explicit bodily imagery and nudity in the horror material.

Writing is the most persistent broad complaint. Reviewers repeatedly cite weak dialogue, clumsy exposition, uneven characterization, and source changes even when they enjoy the action or cast.

Script reactions are mixed, ranging from a strong pilot to complaints about contrivance and implausible dialogue.

Clarity varies dramatically. Some reviewers call this the most streamlined season yet, while others found the opening and multi-thread structure confusing or unfocused.

Multiple storylines and dense lore can make the narrative feel scattered, overloaded, or difficult to track.

Chemistry varies by pairing. Geralt’s traveling group and some established relationships work well, while other reviewers found the ensemble disconnected or less convincing after the recast.

The young ensemble often sells the friendships and group dynamics, though some critics feel the chemistry falls short of the 2017 film.

Emotional impact is mixed but not absent. Yennefer’s growth, Ciri’s struggles, and later character moments land for some reviewers, while others find the season emotionally hollow.

When the character bonds land, the series can be moving and heartbreaking; weaker reviews say some intended emotional beats fail to resonate.

Battle logic drew criticism when armor, weapons, and magical tactics behaved in ways one reviewer found implausible.

Some military logic, character decisions, and plot mechanics strain credibility even within the supernatural premise.

One reviewer singled out the camera work during a major fight as especially strong, pairing it effectively with the choreography.

Cinematography is usually praised for making Derry picturesque, eerie, and cinematic, though one review found it bland.

Once the season reaches its stronger second half, one reviewer found the episodes so compelling that they were genuinely hard to stop watching.

Several critics found the expanding mystery easy to get hooked on and were eager to continue once the story gained momentum.

Some fight scenes were criticized for being too heavily edited or sped up, which reduced the impact of otherwise solid choreography.

Editing draws unusually sharp criticism for jarring transitions and weak rhythm.

One reviewer felt the hour-long runtimes encouraged circular storytelling and padding rather than tighter momentum.

Long episodes can feel bloated when the story slows down or repeats information.

Pacing is a major complaint. Many reviewers describe a slow, weak, or confusing first half before a stronger finish, while a smaller group finds the run consistently well-paced.

A slow or uneven first half is a common complaint, with many full-season reviews saying the back half improves substantially.

The later episodes were praised for delivering genuine surprises that raise the stakes for the final season.

Early shocks and later reveals are among the most widely praised storytelling moves, especially the premiere's major reversal.

Interest in the final season is mixed. Some reviewers finish wanting more or hoping for a stronger reunion, while a harsh critic has little confidence left.

Interest in more seasons is positive overall but not universal; some reviewers are eager for more lore while others fear repetition.

The season’s tone divides reviewers: some welcome its darker or more playful shifts, while others find the mix awkward, inconsistent, or cringeworthy.

The show can swing abruptly between serious horror, emotional drama, and sillier spectacle, creating tonal friction.

The season often feels overcrowded, with three major storylines and a large ensemble competing for attention. Several reviewers thought Geralt was sidelined in his own series.

The large ensemble can feel overstuffed, with too many characters and subplots competing for attention.

One reviewer felt the season again captured the danger and atmosphere that make the wider Witcher world appealing.

Connections to the films and wider King universe are a major draw, although the Easter eggs can become overbearing for some viewers.

Monster lore was praised for adding texture and even emotional weight to some of the season’s creature encounters.

The deeper history of Derry, Pennywise, and the wider King universe is one of the most consistently praised elements.

Character behavior drew criticism when familiar figures felt rewritten, abruptly changed, or inconsistent with earlier seasons and source portrayals.

A few critics flag inconsistent character behavior and logic as part of the show's uneven writing.

Several episodes were criticized for dragging or taking too long to move their individual plots forward.

Individual episodes are unevenly paced, with slow stretches, rushed revelations, and a frequently criticized midseason lull.

Dialogue is a recurring weakness. Even positive reviews mention cringeworthy, awkward, or tonally jarring lines, though a few characters still get sharp exchanges.

Dialogue is a recurring weakness, with complaints about clunky exposition, wooden exchanges, and overly obvious monologues.

CGI drew repeated complaints for looking cheap, wobbly, or overused in fights, even when the underlying action remained enjoyable.

CGI is the clearest technical weakness: multiple critics found creature work obvious, cartoonish, or distracting even when the underlying scare ideas were strong.

One reviewer strongly criticized the handling of Ciri’s sexual-assault-adjacent material, finding the adaptation’s framing uncomfortable and insensitive.

A small number of critics strongly object to the use of real-world trauma and prejudice as shock material.

One reviewer found the swearing excessive and tonally inconsistent with the show’s older-style dialogue.

Frequent strong profanity is treated as a major content concern rather than a neutral detail.

A pair of strongly negative reviewers objected to what they saw as overtly contemporary ideological framing in the season.

Some embedded audience commentary strongly rejects the show's perceived contemporary political framing.

Reported audience response was weak, with reviewers pointing to sharply reduced viewership, poor audience scores, and difficulty winning back lapsed fans.

The series is presented as accessible even to newcomers who have not read King or watched the films.

Critical reception was portrayed as weak to mixed, with multiple sources noting low scores or a drop from earlier seasons.

Critical response is visibly divided, with rave notices for craft and terror alongside sharp complaints about plotting and scares.

Costumes received several negative notices for looking cheaper, less polished, or insufficiently medieval-fantasy in character.

Period clothing is consistently praised for helping transport the show convincingly into the early 1960s.

Production values divide reviewers: some still see expensive, polished fantasy craft, while others think sets and props look cheaper or more artificial than before.

Sets and overall production design are major strengths, giving Derry a polished, period-specific identity.

Visual presentation is a major positive, with later episodes, magical battles, and fantasy imagery repeatedly praised for scale and creativity.

Derry often looks polished and striking, especially in credits and period design, but flat lighting or artificial backdrops occasionally undermine the look.

World-building is usually well received, especially when the season makes the Continent feel dangerous, alive, and rich with monsters, factions, and fantasy detail.

The episodic format gives Derry, its history, and its mythology more room to breathe, which many critics see as a major advantage.

The returning core cast is generally steadier than the surrounding material, but opinions on the lead transition keep the overall main-cast response mixed.

The main ensemble, especially the younger cast, receives broad praise for carrying fear, grief, and emotional stakes.

The supporting ensemble is generally a strength when the material serves it, especially the traveling companions and new additions, though cohesion varies.

Adult supporting work is generally respected, even when critics feel the material gives those actors too little to do.

Overall enjoyment is sharply divided. Some reviewers call the season fun, exciting, or a pleasant surprise, while others found it tedious, frustrating, or actively unpleasant.

Even mixed reviews often find stretches fun or entertaining, especially when the horror, lore, and Pennywise material are working together.

One reviewer felt Bonhart’s climactic payoff was strong enough to justify the price of entry on its own.

The physical 4K release is described as economical and well stocked with extras for committed fans.

Hemsworth’s Geralt accent was criticized as inconsistent and distracting rather than convincing.

Action is one of the season’s clearest strengths. Reviewers repeatedly praised the bloody choreography, magical battles, and Bonhart-driven set pieces, with only a few calling some fights over-edited or underwhelming.

The animated material was warmly received, with reviewers calling the flashback sequence vivid and one of the season’s more creative flourishes.

The ending creates interest in what comes next, but some reviewers felt the season stops at an awkward midpoint rather than delivering a satisfying seasonal endpoint.

One reviewer appreciated how the season’s reframing and transition material helped the recast fit into the ongoing story.

Some relationship drama is viewed as forced rather than organically earned.

Despite broader season complaints, the finale earns substantial praise for its action, reunion beats, and Bonhart payoff.

The show is emphatically not family-friendly because of graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and strong language.

Humor is mixed: Jaskier and some playful material work for several reviewers, while others call the comedy forced or badly timed.

Where practical creature work is used effectively, it is praised as more convincing than the weakest CGI.

One reviewer unusually favored a split-season release here because seasons four and five function as one continuing endgame.

Romance is mostly a weakness, especially Ciri and Mistle’s altered relationship and Geralt and Yennefer’s reduced chemistry, though one reviewer found some romantic material effective.

One reviewer thought the season either needed to end earlier or add another episode to resolve material more cleanly.

The graphic horror and disturbing material are viewed as inappropriate for children.

A reviewer felt a heavily promoted Geralt line sounded just as awkward in the episode as it did in promotional material, contrary to the showrunner’s contextual defense.

One positive reviewer included the season’s music among its top-notch production elements.

Sound design and immersive audio are praised for making quiet scenes threatening and big sequences more enveloping.