Apple Cider Vinegar Review
Director: Jeffrey Walker
Date Created: 2025-02-06 23:14
4
Apple Cider Vinegar Review: The latest scammer drama from Netflix dips us deep into the world of wellness influencers and the dark side of social media fame and misinformation. Directed by Jeffrey Walker, the series has six-episode which are based on the real-life deception of wellness influencer Belle Gibson. The show stars Kaitlyn Dever, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Mark Coles Smith, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Chai Hansen, Matt Nable and others.
Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar follows Belle Gibson, who became famous on the internet for allegedly curing herself of terminal brain cancer using natural remedies. As her empire expands, the suspicions about her miraculous recovery grow. But once the truth begins to unravel, the stakes are way higher than just losing followers.
Apple Cider Vinegar Review
Netflix has been on a roll when it comes to scammer stories, and the Apple Cider Vinegar series is no different. The series offers a fascinating, infuriating and deeply distressing portrait of the rise and fall of Belle Gibson, an empire built on a lie. With its combination of dark humour and incisive commentary on broader social issues, the show dives directly into the deceptions without wasting any time getting there and does a great job of keeping the action (and intrigue) going throughout its run time.
Belle’s story is told across multiple timelines, gradually showing how she manipulated her audience while also fighting her own insecurities. The series manages to make you both curious about — and horrified by — what she does. You never fully sympathize with her, but you can’t turn away either. It’s a fascinating character study about how social media rewards those who tell the most persuasive stories — fact or fiction.
Kaitlyn Dever is brilliant as Belle Gibson. She nails the influencer aesthetic — the soft-spoken voice, the curated vulnerability, the strategic authenticity. But underneath, she brings out Belle’s manipulative and self-interested side, which makes her one of those women with whom you love to hate. The way she effortlessly transitions from a loving mom to a business guru to a cancer survivor, all in the same breath, is terrifying and masterful.
The show is also enriched by Alicia Debnam-Carey, who plays Belle’s rival Milla Blake. Milla, unlike Belle, in fact, has cancer and does believe in alternative treatments. And yes, her story is crushing, because she is the face behind the real people who are trusting influencers like Belle. Seeing their rivalry play out is one of the more entertaining parts of the series.
The supporting cast, with Ashley Zukerman playing Belle’s partner, and Susie Porter as Milla’s mother, is strong too, doing a great job of grounding the story. The performances add emotional heft and remind us of the real-world stakes of Belle’s deception.
The 2025 Apple Cider Vinegar also shows the risks of the wellness industry. The show doesn’t just take aim at Belle — it digs into why people get taken by these kinds of scams in the first place. When conventional medicine fails or seems impersonal, those who promise hope and reassurance are not in short supply. And Belle knew, exactly, how to sell that illusion.
The series also does great work showing how social media can exacerbate the spread of misinformation. Belle’s rise had less to do with any actual knowledge she possessed or medical expertise she offered — and much more to do with her ability to “relatable” and “inspiring” sell herself. The show uses a tongue-in-cheek style to critique how Instagram, blogs and wellness brands prop up scammers such as Belle.
That said, the show has its share of flaws. The third storyline about Lucy, a cancer patient who becomes enmeshed in Belle’s life, felt somewhat extraneous. Her perspective infuses emotional weight but also drags the pace at times. Since Milla’s storyline already does a good job highlighting the dangers of misinformation, I found Lucy’s arc less impactful in comparison.
Still, this is a small complaint about an otherwise entertaining and in-depth ride. The writing is incisive, funny and provocative. The pacing is so good you’re going to get hooked, and the show makes a pregnant, beautiful comment about life and death contrasting between the dark humour and serious themes. Some of Belle’s influencer-style speeches are so over-the-top that they’re funny — but also disconcertingly real.
Summing Up
Apple Cider Vinegar would be a great watch for fans of scammer stories, social media culture, or the shady side of wellness in general. With solid performances, a cutting script and a disquietingly realistic representation of online deception, the show is both entertaining and illuminating.
Apple Cider Vinegar is now streaming on Netflix.
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