Why you need to watch 'Apple Cider Vinegar', the new show about influencer's fake cancer cure
Ten years ago, the Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson sold the world a story based on a lie: she healed her terminal brain cancer with whole foods and a strict diet.
The problem? She never actually had cancer.
It was, arguably, one of the most captivating stories of deception in the wellness world.
Now, Apple Cider Vinegar, a six-episode fictional drama – arriving in the UK on Netflix on February 6th – follows the rise, and fall, of Gibson, and has put her story (and lies) firmly back in the limelight.
Shining a light on the dark side of the ‘clean eating’ movement, wellness culture, the rise of social media and the impact of misinformation, Apple Cider Vinegar acts as a timely reminder of just how easy it is to manipulate people online.
Here’s everything we know about the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar so far.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar about?
Inspired by the real-life scandal of Belle Gibson, Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of her seemingly miraculous recovery from a fatal cancer diagnosis. Her rise to fame came with the release of a mobile app, a cookbook, and a growing online platform, all of which were built on her falsified health journey.
While based on true events, the series is a work of fiction – the show’s creators have drawn from the book The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, who first reported on and uncovered the truth behind Gibson’s lies.
Apple Cider Vinegar trailer
Apple Cider Vinegar is out on 6 Feb. Though the main character shares Belle Gibson's name, Netflix maintains that the show is a ‘work of fiction’ – a ‘true-ish story based on a lie’. The show is not a biopic or documentary.
What’s the plot of Apple Cider Vinegar?
Set during the early days of Instagram, Apple Cider Vinegar follows two women – Belle Gibson, played by American actress Kaitlyn Dever and Milla Blake, played by Australian actress Alycia Debnam-Carey – who *attempt* to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness.
The series highlights the power of social media, particularly within the wellness industry, where food and lifestyle choices are marketed as cures for chronic illnesses.
Created by award-winning Australian writer Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers, The End, Dance Academy), who was living in Melbourne during the peak of Gibson’s success, the story delves into the complex world of wellness culture.
‘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,’ said Strauss.
At its heart, the series asks important questions about authenticity, trust and the consequences of blindly following health advice in an era where social media influencers sometimes have as much sway as medical professionals.
Who’s in the Apple Cider Vinegar cast?
Kaitlyn Dever, 28, known for her roles in Booksmart, Dopesick and Unbelievable, plays Belle Gibson. While Fear the Walking Dead's Alycia Debnam-Carey, 31, plays Milla Blake, another young woman who becomes involved in the wellness movement, promoting food’s power to combat cancer.
Aisha Dee, The Bold Type, plays Chanelle, Milla’s close friend, who connects with Belle and helps her build her business empire. And Tilda Cobham-Hervey, I Am Woman, portrays Lucy, a cancer patient drawn into the influence of Milla and Belle's online platform.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar based on a true story?
While Apple Cider Vinegar is inspired by a true story, it is not a strict biographical retelling, and the creators have taken some creative liberties with the events and characters.
Many of the people in the show are fictionalised, and not every event is depicted exactly as it happened in real life.
When and where can I watch Apple Cider Vinegar?
Whether you’re interested in the wellness industry, the impact of social media, or just love a compelling drama, Apple Cider Vinegar is shaping up to be a must-watch.
Mark your calendars – Apple Cider Vinegar lands on Netflix 6 February, 2025.
Read next:
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