What are we willing to risk in the name of health? It’s an unusual question, but one that has become unexpectedly relevant as more people seek care from online forums, self-proclaimed experts, and naturopathic healers instead of traditional medical professionals, driven by growing challenges in the healthcare system. In this landscape, the path to wellness has been paved by opportunists looking to capitalize on others’ misfortunes. From this environment, a star emerged in Belle Gibson. Based on the book The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar follows the rise and fall of an Australian influencer, healthy living advocate, and “cancer survivor” who defied medical advice and claimed to heal herself naturally through holistic living and superfoods.
Before each and every episode, a character makes it clear that this is a “mostly true story based on a lie,” that names have been changed, and Belle Gibson was not paid for the recreation of her story. The show goes to great lengths to make it clear that the series intends to depict Belle as a crunchy con artist who fed upon the desperate with her “seriously sinister” brand of healthy living while committing multiple frauds, though many of the details have been exaggerated for entertainment purposes. Like such fraudsters as Anna Sorokin, Tania Head, or Elizabeth Holmes, Belle branded herself to shill herself and her product. But in this case, the product was hope.
Kaitlyn Dever steps into the role of Belle, a “self-taught” culinary wizard who claimed she was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor but found a way to treat it herself, pushing aside conventional medicine for a more natural health approach. Through her “The Whole Pantry” app and recipes, Belle created a community of avid followers who swallowed her snake oil with gusto.
But Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey) was not one of those wide-eyed groupies. She too received a cancer diagnosis and attempted to find a different solution outside of conventional medicine. Her trials and tribulations inspired Bella … to steal her experiences — first for attention, then as a business endeavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar captivates its audience not only with the true crime tale of another young swindler brought to justice, but through the unique way the story is told. The show cleverly parallels the lives of Belle and Milla, drawing comparisons between their influence and reach, as well as how Belle’s deception affected Milla’s messaging and personal life. Apple Cider Vinegar also incorporates a meta-narrative structure in its storytelling, using emojis and fourth wall breaks to keep the tone cheeky. This lighthearted approach offers a refreshing contrast to the heavier themes of charity fraud, flawed medical infrastructures, and the damaging effects of the anti-science movement.
Dever is charismatic as hustler Belle, who carries a majority of the series on her capable shoulders. She creates a complex character of a woman who exudes charm while unable to connect on a basic level with humanity. Dever continues to impress with her abilities, particularly when Belle drops the mask of survivor advocate and de-evolves into a tantrum-throwing sociopath when things go awry.
Apple Cider Vinegar offers real food for thought regarding the healthcare industry and the poor souls who suffer within its limited means and soaring costs, as well as the parasites who feed within its crevices. Fueled by meaty material, well-thought-out direction, and a great cast, the series is able to project a meaningful message about the wellness movement as well as the figureheads it produces. And while some details were smudged, the core truth remains: Belle’s actions are a symptom of a larger issue within an industry that has led people to be swayed by charismatic predators offering solutions packaged as beautifully arranged, plant-based charcuterie boards. ❖