The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep

Four years after Nightmare of the Wolf, Netflix and Studio Mir have teamed up once again for Sirens of the Deep, an extraordinary new chapter in The Witcher franchise. Set between episodes five and six of the first season of the live-action series, the animated feature deftly fills in gaps within the broader timeline while crafting its own distinct story with stunning aquatic visuals and a heartfelt, self-contained narrative.

Adapting Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story A Little Sacrifice, the film unfolds a tale rich in melancholy and moral complexity. Geralt, voiced by Doug Cockle – the gravelly baritone from the long-running video game series – returns with a design that mirrors Henry Cavill’s portrayal. Tasked with mediating a volatile conflict between humans and the Merpeople, a humanoid species dwelling in the Great Sea, Geralt’s journey remains as morally fraught as ever. Anya Chalotra and Joey Batey reprise their roles as Yennefer and Jaskier, respectively, anchoring the narrative within The Witcher timeline. The familiar voices establish a strong sense of continuity, with a lively tavern scene where Jaskier chastises Geralt for refusing a job on moral grounds, recreating the quippy and tension-laden camaraderie fans have come to love.

Studio Mir’s mastery of animation is on full display, capturing the sea’s kaleidoscopic moods as tranquil greens and blues give way to stormy purples in underwater battle sequences. The aquatic world feels alive, its ethereal beauty matched by the otherworldly design of Sh’eenaz, whose willow-green skin and fay-like features evoke both alienness and grace. Merspeak, an entirely original language, adds further depth to the Merpeople’s culture, making their world as immersive as it is enchanting.

Sapkowski’s story, with its echoes of The Little Mermaid, follows the ill-fated romance between Sh’eenaz, a mermaid princess, and Agloval, the human Prince of Bremervoord. The narrative strikes a delicate balance between action and thoughtful introspection, exploring political intrigue and cultural conflicts through confrontations and ruminations. Geralt’s hard exterior is briefly softened through his interactions with Essi (Christina Wren), a wide-eyed bard whose idealism offers a stark contrast to the cynicism of his world. Particularly poignant is Essi’s impassioned rebuke of Agloval’s suggestion to curtail Sh’eenaz’s freedom in the name of love – a moment that lays bare the moral dilemmas at the heart of the story. The action sequences, driven by Cockle’s commanding voice, are dynamic and visceral, yet never overshadow the movie’s more introspective moments.

For fans of the franchise, the animated feature offers a vital chapter that deepens the lore, while for newcomers, it serves as a dark fantasy tale with a distinctive fairy-tale edge – an enchanting entry point into Geralt of Rivia’s world.

Christina Yang

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is released on Netflix on 11^th February 2025.

Watch the trailer for The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep here: