The Film Experience

by new contributor Maggy Torres-Rodriguez

A few days ago, the earth went a little quieter as nerds all around the world paused their latest video game obsession to turn their attention over to the new Netflix trailer for The Witcher. The Polish novel series-turned-video-game-turned-Netflix show has raised all kinds of inquisitive eyebrows, especially at the notion of Henry Cavill taking on the role of Geralt de Rivia. But HELLO, we welcome it.

The Witcher brings forth all kinds of magic and lore and monsters, from wraiths to vampires to elves, in this deeply sophisticated world where beasts and humans are trying (or not trying) to coexist. And as per ugee, the most beastly monsters of all tend to be human...

YES

To Henry Cavill as Geralt de Rivia. Fans of the book say he is too clean and refined to be Geralt, a traditionally rigid, cold, and brooding character. WE HAVE TO DISAGREE. Cavill himself was familiar with the material because he’s been a huge fan of the novels and video games, which is always a plus for passion and delivery.
Being a series of novels from the 80s, there is so much material to pull from. Netflix execs don’t have to worry about a Game of Thrones “Where the hell do we go from here” situation… as long as they stick to the script.
Relative Newbies: Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan! Yes! Love seeing fresh female faces coming into genre territory. While we love you Natalie Portman, we need to start seeing other people.
Can we talk about that production design? Everyone is raving about how the costuming and set design are gorgeous and on point. So happy to see Netflix appealing to the expectations of the fans and not cutting corners when it comes to authenticity.

“So that’s all life is to you, monsters and money?” “It’s all it needs to be.” - Henry Cavill in a bad wig. But we see you biceps.
Since the series is so heavy on the lore, we are just aching to see action, magic, monsters, and humans being gutted. It’s why we are here. Please don’t be a season of a 5-episode backstory leading up to a lukewarm penultimate episode with one monster, and a flaccid cliffhanger of “There will be more monsters” for season 2. I can’t take another series being butchered by the hands of tonal schizophrenia, incoherent storylines, and horrendous pacing. Looking at you Stranger Things 3.

MAYBE SO

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has been on a number of genre shows (Daredevil, The Defenders, The Umbrella Academy)... all of which were iffy at best in regards to storytelling. The Witcher is a huge project to take on but we’re pulling for you Lauren!
There are such iconic elements in the novels and video games that fans consider must-haves. Here’s to hoping that Netflix can put a spin on the existing story and characters and improve instead of disappoint!
On the timing. Could the layperson think this is just a Game of Thrones ripoff and choose not to watch, or did that last season of GoT leave fantasy-lovers with the lust for more?

But that's not all in terms of long-form fantasy storytelling.

We've also got an adaptation of His Dark Materials coming from HBO. Let’s take a moment of silence for that dumpster fire that was the 2007 film of The Golden Compass. The collective consensus leaving the theater was “… but what was it about?” Yes, the botched finished product of The Golden Compass was due to behind-the-scenes drama, but we forgive those transgressions because it was a lot of material to cram into a cohesive 2 hour film. Let’s hope that HBO can pace itself and let that lush and dynamic world really breathe this time around.

YES

HBO has the grit (and that GoT $$$) to produce this heavy fantasy the way it deserves to be told. The story involves the mutilation of children, the systemic corruption in the church and state, and overall hazy morality of scientific progression. We need it all. It’s about to get Handmaid’s Tale kinda dark in here. Or at least, it should.
To this cast. Yes, that's little badass Dafne Keen, best known from the movie Logan. Also, yes to diversity and triple yes to Lin-Manuel Miranda. Biggest YES to Ruth Wilson and her eyebrows. You are welcomed here.
Love love loved that set design and production q u a l i t y. The animals in the film look pretty decent, and seeing as how they play such an important role in the original story, here’s to hoping the CGI will never be a distraction.

“The Nohth is no place for a child.” How many times did they have to say “Nohth?” We get it, HBO. The North is a mysterious and dangerous place. Next.
If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll know that the animals are the crux of this series. Their importance fell a little to the wayside in this trailer. It just looks like all the characters have quirky pets or someone simply left a latch open at the zoo.
James McAvoy as Lord Asriel. I feel blasé about it. What do you think? Who would be better for the role? Daniel Craig tried it already; keep brainstorming.

MAYBE SO

The novels get pretty biblical when it comes to coming-of-age metaphors, and religious interference in the progression of self discovery. I’m kinda down for the big political statement this story has the power to make. It’s timely, and necessary.
I get that talking animals can be off-putting to adult audiences, but would like to have seen some of that in here. If they decided to remove that ability from the animals, the series will be a widely divergent from the original material -- which can be a sharp left turn away from success.

Are you a fan of the fantasy genre? And what's your verdict on these two new series... at least in trailer form?