Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar dives into the shocking true story of Belle Gibson, a wellness influencer who built her empire on a lie. The six-part drama series reveals how the Aussie woman manipulated vulnerable people, including real cancer patients like Milla Blake, to gain fame and fortune.
WATCH THE TRAILER:
Apple Cider Vinegar | Official Trailer | Netflix
A Story Based on a Lie
From the first episode, Apple Cider Vinegar makes its message clear. Belle Gibson, played by Kaitlyn Dever, speaks directly to the audience:
“This is a true story based on a lie. Some names have been changed to protect the innocent. Belle Gibson has not been paid for the recreation of her story.”
Gibson’s story feels eerily familiar to those who followed her rise and fall in the 2010s. Her Instagram account, The Whole Pantry, promoted “healing” through alternative medicine, claiming she had beaten terminal brain cancer. Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar meticulously recreates her social media presence, with green juices, ocean views, and the promise of a toxin-free life.
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The Deception That Fooled the World
Gibson’s web of lies extended beyond social media. She secured a book deal, an app, and partnerships with major brands. She even promised to donate proceeds to charity—money that never arrived.
Her influence reached desperate people searching for hope, including Milla Blake, a fellow influencer battling epithelioid sarcoma. Milla Blake Apple Cider Vinegar highlights how vulnerable individuals like Milla trusted Gibson’s advice over traditional medical treatment.
Gibson’s downfall came in 2015 when journalists exposed her fraud. She had never had cancer. The wellness empire collapsed overnight.
Milla Blake: A Tragic Parallel
Milla Blake Apple Cider Vinegar introduces a heartbreaking side to the story. Milla Blake, played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, was a real woman who rejected conventional cancer treatment in favour of alternative therapies like Gerson Therapy.
She, like Gibson, gained a following online. But unlike Gibson, Milla Blake actually had cancer. She passed away in 2015. Apple Cider Vinegar Milla Blake shows how Gibson may have mimicked real cancer patients to appear authentic.
Gibson even claimed, “Unscrupulous natural therapists duped her into believing she was dying.” But in Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, her manipulation and dishonesty are undeniable.
The Dangers of Wellness Scams
The series exposes how social media influencers can push dangerous health narratives. Jessica Ainscough, another Australian influencer known as “The Wellness Warrior,” promoted alternative medicine and also passed away from cancer.
Milla Blake Apple Cider Vinegar explores the fine line between wellness culture and medical misinformation. It highlights how Gibson’s lies misled people searching for hope, sometimes with fatal consequences.
As one character states:
“I’m not letting some influencer with a nose ring undercut years of medical research.”
This frustration echoes throughout the series.
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Deliver?
The storytelling approach in Netflix Apple Cider Vinegar is divisive. It jumps between timelines, sometimes making it difficult to follow. Gibson frequently breaks the fourth wall, reminding the audience that she is lying.
Some viewers find this approach compelling. Others feel it distracts from the story’s gravity. A more linear format might have made the narrative clearer.
However, Kaitlyn Dever’s performance as Belle Gibson is outstanding. She captures Gibson’s manipulative charm and self-pity perfectly.
Where is Belle Gibson Now?
Since her exposure, Gibson has remained largely out of the public eye. She was fined $410,000 for misleading consumers, but she has not paid the full amount.
Where is Belle Gibson now? Reports suggest she lives in Melbourne and continues to avoid scrutiny. Despite her notoriety, she has never shown true remorse for her actions.
A Must-Watch for True Crime Fans
Apple Cider Vinegar Netflix offers a gripping look at a shocking real-life scandal. While its storytelling choices are polarising, its message is clear: false hope can be deadly.
If you liked The Tinder Swindler or Inventing Anna, this series is worth watching. It exposes the dark side of influencer culture and the dangers of misinformation in the wellness industry.
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