Watch The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is a dark and action-packed animated movie from 2021 based on the popular video game and book series by Andrzej Sapkowski. The story takes place in the same universe as the live-action Netflix series, but centuries before the events of that show. The main character of Nightmare of the Wolf is Vesemir, a powerful and skilled witcher who is shown to be a mentor and father figure to Geralt of Rivia in the main series. In Nightmare of the Wolf, Vesemir is a young and ambitious witcher who is still learning the ropes of his profession. He's brash, cocky, and eager to prove himself to his fellow witchers and the world at large.

The action begins when a new threat emerges in the land of Kaer Morhen, the fortress where Vesemir and his fellow witchers reside. A group of mages, led by a powerful sorceress named Tetra Gilcrest, begin experimenting on humans and monsters alike, seeking to create powerful hybrid creatures that are both intelligent and deadly.

Vesemir is initially dismissive of the threat posed by Tetra and her mages, believing that his witcher skills are more than enough to handle any danger. However, as the body count begins to rise and the monsters become more and more fearsome, Vesemir begins to realize that he may be outmatched.

The heart of the movie is Vesemir's journey from a brash and overconfident young witcher to a seasoned and cautious warrior who understands the true cost of his profession. Along the way, he learns about the horrors of the world beyond Kaer Morhen, including prejudice against witchers and the harsh realities faced by the common folk.

The animation style of Nightmare of the Wolf is stunning, with detailed character designs and smooth, dynamic action sequences that showcase Vesemir's swordsmanship and magic abilities. The voice acting is also top-notch, with Theo James doing an excellent job of portraying Vesemir's journey from impetuous youth to world-weary veteran.

Mary McDonnell and Lara Pulver also shine as the voices of Tetra and Illyana, a fellow mage who discovers the atrocities being committed in the name of magic and begins to question her loyalty to Tetra. The movie explores themes of power, corruption, and the cost of fighting for what you believe in, and it does so with a deft hand that never feels heavy-handed or preachy.

Overall, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is an excellent addition to the Witcher franchise, and a must-watch for fans of the series. It's a thrilling and emotional journey that stands on its own as a great fantasy movie while also expanding the lore of the Witcher universe in fascinating ways.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is a 2021 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 67.