Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar: Exposing the Wellness Scam

Netflix’s latest docudrama, Apple Cider Vinegar, dives into the jaw-dropping true story of Belle Gibson, the Australian wellness influencer who built an empire on lies—and the fallout of her cancer fraud. Released on February 6, the six-episode series stars Emmy-nominated actress Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable, Dopesick) as Gibson, blending dark humor, fourth-wall-breaking asides, and a critical lens on the billion-dollar wellness industry.

The Rise and Fall of a “Wellness Warrior”

Gibson, played with chilling charisma by Dever, rose to fame in the early 2010s by claiming she cured her terminal brain cancer through clean eating, juice cleanses, and alternative therapies. Her app, The Whole Pantry, became a bestseller, earning her partnerships with Apple and a cookbook deal—all while she pocketed charity funds meant for cancer patients. The series, created by Samantha Strauss (Dance Academy), adapts the investigative book The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, who first exposed Gibson’s lies in 2015.

But the show isn’t just about Gibson. It weaves in fictionalized characters like Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey), a wellness blogger battling real cancer through dangerous pseudoscience, and Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), a patient torn between chemotherapy and Gibson’s false promises. These narratives highlight the human cost of medical misinformation, contrasting Gibson’s veneer-clad grift with the desperation of those seeking hope.

Why This Scammer Story Hits Different

A Nuanced Take on Wellness Culture
Apple Cider Vinegar avoids simplistic moralizing. While exposing Gibson’s deceit, it also critiques a medical system that alienates patients, driving them toward unproven remedies. “The allure [of wellness] is so powerful because it seems kinder, easier, prettier,” Strauss told The Los Angeles Times. The series questions why society glorifies influencers over doctors—a tension Dever, whose mother died of breast cancer, called “immensely personal”.

Kaitlyn Dever’s “Human” Portrayal
Dever’s performance balances sympathy and revulsion. She portrays Gibson as a lonely, validation-starved figure, mastering an Australian accent so convincing her co-stars joked she might be secretly Aussie. “We didn’t want a carbon copy of Belle,” Dever said, emphasizing the show’s focus on the “why” behind the lies.

The Ghost of Inventing Anna
Fans of Netflix’s scammer hits will recognize the DNA of Inventing Anna here—glossy aesthetics, dark humor, and a flawed antiheroine. But Apple Cider Vinegar raises the stakes: Gibson’s lies led real patients to abandon life-saving treatments, a chilling reminder of the consequences of influencer culture.

Behind the Scenes: “Belle Gibson Has Not Been Paid”

Each episode opens with a cheeky disclaimer: “Belle Gibson has not been paid for the recreation of her story.” Strauss included this after backlash from viewers and friends of cancer patients, who feared Gibson might profit from the series. In reality, Gibson—now a recluse in Australia—still owes $410,000 in fines for her fraud and has avoided public scrutiny since her 2015 downfall.

Critical Reception: Bite Over Schadenfreude

Critics praise the series for its “depth and bite” compared to typical scammer fare (The New York Times). While Scamanda (ABC’s rival docuseries) focuses on victims’ rage, Apple Cider Vinegar dissects the societal conditions that enable grifters. Margaret Lyons of The Times calls it “a galling true story zhuzhed up for maximum bingeyness”.

Stream It Now—But Keep Your Apple Cider Vinegar Handy

Apple Cider Vinegar is streaming globally on Netflix. Whether you’re here for the scam drama, Dever’s powerhouse performance, or a cautionary tale about Instagram’s dark side, this series delivers. Just don’t expect a redemption arc for Belle Gibson—the real woman remains as elusive as her lies.

For more on Belle Gibson’s current whereabouts and legal battles, check out Hollywood Life’s update here.