There was perhaps no better time to be a fan ofThe Witcherthan between 2019 and 2021,as the Netflix adaptation had become a global sensationand triggered a resurgence of interest in 2015’sThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Across the literature, games, and television, the franchise could not have been bigger, but perhaps the most pleasant surprise of all was 2021’sThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.
Released on July 03, 2025,Nightmare of the Wolfwas an animated feature from South Korean animation studio Mir, responsible forThe Legend of Korraas well as Netflix’sVoltron: Legendary Defender. This animated film loosely connected to the TV show’s continuity would be a prequel following the career of Vesemir, Geralt’s mentor, who was planned to show up in the then-upcoming second season. In theory,Nightmarewas the perfect hype vehicle for the return of the live-action series, giving fans of the books and games a new look at a beloved character For new fans, it would be a storyto get invested in before Season 2. But would this film merely be a polished hype vehicle, or did it have more to offer? Because for as good as Studio Mir is, their appeal has made them somewhat typecast, in a manner of speaking.
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Cautious Optimism
South Korean animation, while distinct in appearance and technique from Japanese animation, has been hugely impactful in the west as an introduction to East Asian animation styles. Mir is no exception, no doubt one of the most well-known afterLegend of Korra, itself a sequel to another hugely successful American show produced by Korean animation studios.
With such an impressive track record and recognizable art style, they have been something of a no-brainer for numerous western productions looking to add an “anime flair.” The unfortunate consequence of this is a saturation of original series or tie-in projects co-opting their talent, leading to pretty but occasionally divisive results. Prior toThe Witcher’s own animated outing,Valve’s MOBA seriesDOTAreceived its own series.
DOTA: Dragon’s Bloodreceived three seasons, the first of which came out several months beforeNightmare of the Wolf. It received positive reception and carried plenty of the charm fans have expected from Mir, but it was also an incredibly lore-dense story that anyone not familiar with the game might have found difficult to sit through. One could be forgiven for being cautious of aWitcheranime as another pretty tie-in.
But thankfully, thanks to a strong script, equally strong performances, and some of the best visuals seen from Mir in ages,Nightmare of the Wolfwere considerably more than just “Witcherbut an anime.” And in fact, the beating heart within its grimdark frame might have been more true to the soul ofThe Witcherthaneven the Netflix series that was all the rageat the time.
The Tale of Vesemir
Nightmare of the Wolfbegins strong, contrasting the monstrous horrors of the Continent with Vesemir’s confidence in the face of it, despite a proclivity towards greed rather than altruism. He’s indifferent to complex politics, towing a line between heartlessness and an understandable degree of realism. It’s so easy to be ensnared by his charisma that the audience disregards the early hints of a larger conspiracy just the same as him.
The first half ofNightmareintercuts the story in the present with Vesemir’s childhood as a servant and his friendship with Illyana, his friend - and crush - who he left along with his home in hopes of living a life of adventure. His beginnings are decidedly simple and arguably generic for a call to adventure, but this is in service of a turning pointthat is both precisely what Vesemir wantedand yet more painful than he could have imagined.
Any fan of theWitcherseries is familiar with the horrors involved in creating a Witcher, both the feats needed to prove oneself worthy and the mutagenic lottery one must bear to gain the title. This painful experience is portrayed brilliantly, from the swelling score to Vesemir’s pain contrasted with Illyana’s sweet letter wishing him happiness; a cruel irony that sinks the dagger deep.
What truly sells this transformation is the way that Vesemir, while forever changed, doesn’t become jaded by this experience. He’s fun, kills monsters with a smile, has survived hell, and is content with the certainty that he’ll never live a life of poverty again. For all his greed and cynicism, he’s immensely likable,and when reminded of the good of his past, his humanity glows as brightly as the gold tint of his eyes.
The Most Important Scene
There is a distinct moment whenNightmarenot only goes from good to great but truly feels like a part of the franchise. It’s a defining confrontation towards the end of the second act. The marketing made the film seem like a buddy adventure sort of story where Vesemir would be paired with the witch, Tetra, and investigate a monstrosity killing the populace. Presumably, they’d warm up to one another and become allies by the end.
However, the film never pretends to play things quite so safely. Vesemir and Tetra discover the truth behind the murders that incited the story, but the revelations prey on the characters’ biases and superstitions and sow seeds of discord that come to define the rest of the film.The mystery of the film, more of a fixture in the background, wasn’t half as important as the politics of the world at large.
Plenty of fantasy stories touch upon the superstition of being different, especially when magic is involved, butThe Witchergoes further than most in creating an atmosphere of animosity. It is a story about the snowball effect of prejudice and fear that leads to violence and genocide. Witchers are the next on the chopping block, but the character Filavandrel represents the elves, a race that has already lost their war against humans.
Peak Witcher
For such a tightly paced film clocking in at 83 minutes, there’s surprisingly a lot to love about this film. As hinted before, the animation is gorgeous, replicatingthe more dance-like choreography of the game series, but the character designs especially are splendid. But what delights the eyes might sample and almost dwarfed by what the ears are graced with thanks to the voice cast.
Theo James’ voice is heavenly as Vesemir, who fans of Castlevania will recognize as Hector. Graham McTavish, another Castlevania alumni, plays Vesemir’s mentor, Deglan, and Lara Pulver kills it as Tetra, but it’s the lovely Mary McDonnell who truly steals the show as Illyana. When she reminisces with Vesemir about the years since they last spoke, one can feel an entire life beneath her words.
While a bold claim, it feels appropriate to say thatThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolfis the best story in this franchise sinceThe Witcher 3took the world by stormsome eight years ago now. It has its fair share of tragedy and death, and it certainly doesn’t end happily, save for solace in knowing that Geralt’s story is in the future. Yet, there’s a beauty in that tragedy that feels quintessential to this franchise. It pulls no punches.
