What will happen when health and wellness advice comes from a complete fraud? Ever experienced that? Well, that’s exactly what Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar unpacks. Based on the true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who actually convinced the world that she cured her terminal brain cancer through alternative medicine, this new limited series is as jaw-dropping and intriguing as it sounds.
Apple Cider Vinegar delves into the story of Belle’s deception, social media fame, and a carefully crafted lie that prompted thousands of people to follow her every word. Turns out, Belle was never diagnosed with cancer to begin with, let alone cured of it.
Exploring how a pseudoscientist built an empire on a story that was too good to be true, if you’re a fan of shows like Inventing Anna or The Tinder Swindler, this one’s bound to hook you in.
When Is The Release Date For Apple Cider Vinegar?
As of now, Apple Cider Vinegar has no official release date, but we’re expecting it to hit Netflix in early 2025, and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait. This limited series is filmed in Melbourne with a team traveling from all over the city to capture the unique vibe of the beautiful city.
Apple Cider Vinegar’s creator Samantha Strauss, known for her work in Nine Perfect Strangers, Dance Academy, and The End, shared,
“We had so many locations that took us from far-flung parts of Melbourne one day to the Dandenong Ranges the next. We wanted to show Melbourne as an aspirational place to be,” as per Netflix Tudum.
Well, it clearly shows they really wanted to present Melbourne as a dreamlike setting. So, be ready for a wild ride through a world of deception and wellness lies, as this one will definitely keep you on the radar. Plus, with a backdrop like Melbourne, it’s bound to look stunning!
Apple Cider Vinegar Plot
This six-episode show will take us back to the early days of Instagram, giving a nostalgic touch where everything was new and glamorous. Apple Cider Vinegar centers on two young women who claim to cure their life-threatening illnesses with trendy health and wellness tips, and they inspire a massive following along the way.
And the twist here? None of it is true. Baffling, right? It’s a kind of story that shows just how easy it is to blur the lines between fact and fiction online, in simple terms, how to make fools out of people!
As per Strauss,
“It’s really interesting to look at how media uses food as a weapon against us and how much we crave the nourishment, but how much of a privilege and how expensive it is to try to be well.”
Is Apple Cider Vinegar Based on a True Story?
Well, yes, Apple Cider Vinegar is rooted in real events, but let’s be clear before you make up things in your mind. It’s still a work of fiction. More clearly, you can think of it as a “true-ish” story that showcases the rise and fall of a wellness brand built on lies. While the show dives into the culture that made it all possible and the people who eventually brought it down, it is indeed inspired by real events.
Apple Cider Vinegar also draws some inspiration from the book, The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano. To sum up, the show is all about the clarity between fact and fiction, but with a lot of drama thrown in.
Apple Cider Vinegar Cast
Kaitlyn Dever takes on center stage in Apple Cider Vinegar as Belle Gibson, and trust me, she absolutely owns the role. You might recognize her from her Emmy-nominated performance in Dopesick or other projects like Rosaline, Good Grief, and No One Will Save You.
Others include Alycia Debnam-Carey, who plays Milla Blake. Obviously, Debnam-Carey’s no stranger to big roles, having starred in Fear the Walking Dead, It’s What’s Inside, and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, she knows the drill. Together, they make up a powerhouse cast, but they’re not the only stars. The show has a talented lineup that brings all the drama to life.
- Aisha Dee as Chanelle (The Bold Type)
- Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Lucy (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart)
- Mark Coles Smith as Lucy’s husband (Mystery Road: Origin)
- Ashley Zukerman (Succession)
- Susie Porter (Irreverent)
- Matt Nable (Transfusion)
- Phoenix Raei (The Night Agent)
- Chai Hansen (Night Sky)
- Richard Davies (Offspring)
- Essie Davis (Game of Thrones)
- Kieran Darcy-Smith (Mr Inbetween)
- Catherine McClements (Total Control)
Conclusion
Well, fans, Apple Cider Vinegar looks like it’s going to be a crazy, must-watch show. With a mix of lots of drama, deception, and a wild story, it’s definitely the one to keep an eye on.