‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ Review: Is Netflix’s Belle Gibson Show Worth the Binge?

At the start of each episode of “Apple Cider Vinegar,” the characters break the fourth wall and tell us, “This is a true story based on a lie.” The true story revolves around Australian influencer Belle Gibson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, who built a wellness empire by falsely claiming to have brain cancer. The series delves into the rise of Instagram and influencer culture, portraying the lives of those around Belle and the impact of her actions.

Bringing Belle Gibson’s scam to life

The show takes a non-linear approach to Belle’s story, starting with her meeting with a crisis management PR firm after her lies were exposed. It then goes back to when she first lied about having cancer and how it led to the creation of the app “The Whole Pantry.” However, this jumbled chronology feels more like a way to add prestige to the show than a meaningful narrative device.

A clash of aesthetics and story

“Apple Cider Vinegar” is full of stylized sequences, with Britney Spears blaring as the characters dance in sparkly dresses. The show uses social media visuals to highlight the role these platforms played in Belle’s rise. However, while it critiques influencer culture, it falls short in exploring the harmful messaging around health perpetuated by social media. The flashy aesthetics clash with the serious subject matter of cancer at the core of the story.
Belle’s antics in “Apple Cider Vinegar” are cringeworthy, but it’s Milla’s cancer storyline that really hits hard. Her refusal to seek conventional treatment and forcing her family into her “all-natural” lifestyle is tough to watch. It’s like body horror, not because of gore, but because Milla is damaging her own health to meet an unrealistic standard. It’s nauseating to see anyone fall for it on the show.

The Emotional Impact of “Apple Cider Vinegar”

Despite great performances by Dever and Debnam-Carey, my reaction to “Apple Cider Vinegar” was more about projecting my own experiences with cancer onto the characters. The show delves into true crime, social media beginnings, and the weight of cancer, all while questioning its own status as a true crime series.

The Meta Aspects of “Apple Cider Vinegar”

The series tries to distance itself from accusations of glorifying true crime stories, but by anchoring itself in reality, it fuels the fascination that draws people to these narratives in the first place. It questions the audience’s interest in fictionalized elements and scolds us for wanting more, but ultimately lacks the depth to fully explore these issues.

“Apple Cider Vinegar” is now available on Netflix.

Topics: Netflix, Streaming.