Audiences loved Geralt’s muscles, but few know Henry Cavill dehydrated for 3 days—so thirsty he could “smell” water—risking his health to perfect that shirtless scene. Audiences were stunned by Geralt’s defined physique, but few knew the extreme cost. To achieve peak muscle dryness for shirtless scenes in The Witcher, Henry Cavill underwent a medically risky, three-day dehydration regimen, cutting out water completely on the final day. He admitted he was so thirsty on set he could “smell water nearby,” risking his health to ensure his skin “sat on the muscles” perfectly for the camera.

The Netflix adaptation of The Witcher quickly became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its dark fantasy world and its imposing lead, Geralt of Rivia. As the monster hunter, Henry Cavill embodied the role with a commitment that produced a physique many viewers admired, but few understood the extreme sacrifice behind it. To achieve the aesthetic of ‘dry’ muscle definition—where the skin appears impossibly thin over the muscle—for iconic shirtless scenes, like the famous “bathtub scene,” Cavill undertook a drastic and medically risky regimen of severe dehydration.

This technique, known as “water cutting” in the bodybuilding world, is designed to flush out subcutaneous water, making muscles look harder and more vascular on camera. Cavill revealed the meticulous, grueling process scheduled over three days leading up to filming. On the first day, his water intake was restricted to 1.5 liters. On the second day, it dropped severely to just 0.5 liters. Then, on the third day, the day of filming, he drank absolutely no water.

It was the final, waterless day that highlighted the intensity of the sacrifice. Cavill later recalled the profound and miserable sensation of extreme thirst on the set of The Witcher. He shared that he became so dehydrated that he could “smell water nearby,” a testament to his body’s primal craving for hydration. The immediate, dramatic payoff was skin that “sits on the muscles,” achieving the shredded look required for Geralt.

However, the result came at a serious physical cost. Cavill has publicly warned against following such a regimen, acknowledging the inherent health risks. Severe dehydration over 72 hours dangerously disrupts the body’s delicate electrolyte balance. This can lead to a cascade of medical complications, including muscle cramping, severe renal stress, and, in extreme cases, seizures or collapse.

The disruption of key electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, heightens the risk of injury. Cavill bluntly stated, “I do not recommend it: it’s not healthy. It doesn’t feel good—but it does look good!” This dedication for Geralt is consistent with his history of physical transformations for roles like Superman. While his main training goal for The Witcher was functional strength for sword-fighting, this level of dangerous commitment offers a rare glimpse into the lengths actors will go to achieve cinematic perfection.