Everyone looks forward to a solid fight scene, a battle between good and evil that can pull the audience deeper into the fictional world they're spending time in. No studio wants to create a fight scene that lets fans down, and, for the most part, they manage to succeed.
With the now popular Netflix series The Witcher first released in 2019 and with a highly anticipated second season on the way, many fans tend to think back on the series fight scenes. While there are a few that do let the fans down and disappoint, there are many others that elevate the dark fantasy world and allow actors like Henry Cavil to acquire their most badass and epic roles.
Best: Opening Scene
When the name Witcher pops into audiences' minds, the first thing that follows the name is an image of Geralt hunting down a beast of some kind. It's one of the reasons why books and games have encaptured many a fan over the years.
So when The Witcher opened, it only seemed natural to kick it all off with Geralt facing down a beast of some kind. While brief and simple, Geralt battling a horrific monster in a bog was exactly what the series needed to start with. In fact, many fans hope that more monsters not yet seen will appear in later seasons.
Letdown: Yennefer Faces Assassins
Now, the truth is, there are only so many fight scenes that can be fit into an eight-episode season. Either because of the budget or simply time, some scenes that could have been epic fights are condensed down into simpler scenes that don't have much of a hit.
When Yennefer is on the run from a deadly assassin and his creepy monster pet, hellbent on killing the queen Yennefer is protecting, many expected an all-out brawl between the pair but unfortunately only got a fantastic yet simple chase, making for one of Yennefer's least badass scenes in the series.
Best: Market Fight
The best fights in a world where dragons and the black plague run amok typically tend to be sword battles, duels between heroes and villains that are beyond one's wildest imaginations. Of course, it's difficult to pull off a good sword fight, even in film.
In the very first episode of the Netflix established itself as a show of force, with the market fight solidifying the moment. Bloody, brutal, and all-around epic, the tight, well shot, and excellently choreographed fight was exactly what the series needed in the first episode.
Letdown: Zombie Scuffle
In the end, the Witcher is truly a force to be reckoned with. A man who wields incredible strength, power, and even magic, Geralt is always a joy to watch taking on some monster or beast and manages to leave everyone satisfied by the end.
Unfortunately, when Geralt comes across a small group of zombies, it wasn't all that satisfying for the audience. While it managed to be enjoyable and somewhat entertaining, it was used as a small fight instead of being larger scale and far more legendary.
Best: Banquet Battle
Most shows have a moment where everything hits the fan. Whether it be a major event that shapes the show or a simple moment that has long-lasting effects, when it all hits, usually what follows is a fight of some kind.
When a cursed prince crashes a betrothal to try and marry the princess being wed, it was the perfect moment for everything to hit the fan. Aiding the prince and getting assistance from some old friends, Geralt and the others fought in an amazing display of swordsmanship and choreography.
Letdown: Ciri’s Power Unleashed
Everyone loves a good mystery, no matter the genre it appears in. Mysteries can help strengthen or even sometimes, weaken a film or series depending on how the mystery is handled or carried out.
Throughout the first season of The Witcher, a mystery slowly unfolds surrounding a girl named Ciri who, along with becoming more badass as the series progressed, has some kind of power in her. When her power is unleashed towards the season's end, one would expect a payoff of some kind, a fight of some kind. Instead, all audiences see is the aftermath one episode later and still leaves audiences with more questions than answers about Ciri's power.
Best: Yennefer Vs Army
The word fantasy tends to bring to mind high scale battles of epic proportions. Witches battling wizards, giants towering over trolls, and fireballs screaming across the sky are the kind of fantasy fights we expect from those kinds of movies and shows.
Thankfully, The Witcher captures the same feel when Yennefer faces off against an entire army of evildoers. Using magic and some of her combat skills, Yennefer creates a spectacular fight that sets a brand new bar for fantasy worlds and the land of Hollywood as a whole. As it stands, the epic fantasy battles have caused fans to compare the books, shows, and worlds of Game Of Thrones and The Witcher.
Letdown: Geralt Vs Renfri
A shows beginning can be the most important part of any series. If the series begins strong, with good characters, great action, and a well-rounded plot that will carry, the show can be a hit.
When new fans to the land of the continent were first introduced to Geralt and Renfri, a witch, they assumed that the pair would a lasting relationship due to being one of the first characters they met. However, after a brief and rather anticlimatic fight, Renfri died by Geralt's hand, leaving many fans dissatisfied.
Best: Geralt Vs Striga
Horror runs deep in any series, whether it be intended or simply used once or twice. In the case of The Witcher, the horror can happen more naturally in some parts and less in others.
When Geralt faced down the monstrous Striga, the horror elements clicked into place all too well. With enough terror and action to tie audiences over and keep them interested, Geralt battling the Striga in one of the best fights of the series proved to be the perfect blend of action and horror the series deserved.
Letdown: Geralt Vs The Devil Of Posada
A lot of video games thrive off of the main story, key events that shape the traveler's journey. Yet, there are moments when the side quests can be more enjoyable than the main story and can pop up in a way in Tv.
So when Geralt arrived in Posada and heard of a Devil, audiences thought they would be in for an amazing side quest. Instead, all they got was a brief yet comedic fight between Geralt and a half-goat, half-man creature with a mouth as bad as Geralt's.