Witcher Spinoff 'The Rats' Plagued by Production Woes, Rushed Release

In November 2025, Netflix surprised Witcher fans by releasing a standalone spinoff movie, 'The Rats: A Witcher Tale,' alongside the fourth season of the main series. The Rats, a group of thieves that Ciri joins in the books and TV show, were previously thought to be dead. However, the new spinoff explores their backstory in a prequel set six months before the events of season 4.

Unfortunately, the production of 'The Rats' was plagued by issues. According to reports, the initial plan was for a 6-8 episode series, but Netflix executives cut it down to a 92-minute movie after reviewing the footage. An unnamed Netflix insider described the behind-the-scenes as a "disaster" where "everything went wrong."

The rushed nature of the project is evident in the final product. The spinoff opens with a framing device where the villainous Leo Bonhart tells Ciri the story, despite him having minimal involvement in the actual events. This clumsy attempt to justify the prequel's placement after season 4 fails to convince viewers.

Overall, 'The Rats' feels like an underbaked attempt by Netflix to expand the Witcher universe. While it provides some additional context for Ciri's time with the group, the rushed pacing and uninspired plot are unlikely to win over skeptical fans of the franchise.