Netflix’s latest limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, delves into the shocking true story of Belle Gibson, the disgraced Australian influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her (fabricated) brain cancer through alternative medicine. The six-episode drama exposes the perils of social media-fueled wellness scams and highlights the vulnerabilities of those navigating serious illnesses within hoax remedies.
The story
At the heart of Apple Cider Vinegar is Belle Gibson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, a young woman who manipulates social media to gain fame and fortune by promoting a diet-based cancer cure. The series chronicles her journey from a struggling teen mother and telemarketer to a high-profile wellness influencer whose fraudulent claims are amplified by a massive following. Her app, The Whole Pantry, was even featured in Apple’s 2015 Watch launch before her deception was unearthed.
Parallel to Belle’s deception, the series follows two women, Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), who genuinely battle cancer. Sceptical about conventional treatments, Milla turns to alternative medicine, convinced that juicing and detox regimens will heal her. Lucy undergoes rigorous medical treatments but finds herself emotionally and physically drained, making her susceptible to Belle’s pseudoscientific promises. Their intertwining stories serve as a stark contrast between real-life struggles and Belle’s opportunistic fraud.
A sharp critique of misinformation
The series effectively critiques social media’s unchecked influence in spreading medical misinformation. Through gripping performances and sharp dialogue, Apple Cider Vinegar portrays Belle as a master manipulator who understands Instagram’s power, but underestimates the consequences of her lies. The show’s time-hopping narrative, though sometimes unnecessary, builds tension as it pieces together Belle’s rise and inevitable downfall.
Justin (Mark Coles Smith), Lucy’s husband, and Belle’s former friend and manager, Chanelle (Aisha Dee), play crucial roles in exposing Belle’s fraud. Their efforts highlight the importance of accountability in a digital landscape where influencers often escape scrutiny.
A cautionary tale for digital age
Beyond Belle’s deception, Apple Cider Vinegar resonates deeper, illustrating the desperation and vulnerability of individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. The series emphasises the need for a compassionate yet evidence-based healthcare system that doesn’t alienate patients into seeking dangerous alternatives.
With gripping storytelling and a much-needed critique of wellness culture, Apple Cider Vinegar stands as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly trusting social media influencers, particularly on health and medicine. It’s an eye-opening watch as well as infuriating, as is necessary in today’s misinformation-driven world.
Creative team & Production
Creator & Writer: Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers, The End, Dance Academy)
Based on: The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano
Cast & Characters
Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson – A charismatic but deeply deceptive influencer who builds an empire based on lies.
Supporting cast: Fictionalized characters inspired by real-life figures, representing those misled by Gibson’s fraudulent claims.
Themes
The Dark side of Wellness Culture – The show critically examines the allure of wellness trends and the dangers of misinformation.
The Power of Social Media – Highlights the early days of Instagram and how unchecked influence can have dire consequences.
Why We Lie & How We Hope – Analyzes human behaviour, the emotional gaps left by conventional medicine, and why individuals turn to alternative health movements.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar a true story?
While real events inspire the series, it is a work of fiction with dramatized characters and situations. It takes creative liberties to explore the psychological and social dynamics behind the scandal.
Watch the Trailer
A first look at Apple Cider Vinegar featuring Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson is available now.
Apple Cider Vinegar is currently streaming exclusively on Netflix. Tune in to witness the gripping tale of one of the most infamous frauds in modern wellness history.
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Business NewsNewsUs NewsApple Cider Vinegar now streaming on Netflix—The wellness scam that fooled the world with ‘cooked up’ Cancer
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First Published
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10 Feb 2025, 01:55 AM IST
