Netflix’s latest addition to its slew of “true story” dramas is “Apple Cider Vinegar” — a limited series based on the story of Belle Gibson, a health influencer who pretended to have brain cancer. The series is biting and flashy, offering an unapologetic view of those in the world of health-and-wellness influencing, particularly those whose brand revolves around cancer and other fatal diseases.
Adapted from journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano’s book, “The Woman Who Fooled the World,” the series follows the rise and fall of Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever), a young and, eventually, single mother whose charm allows her to easily manipulate everyone around her. In a bid for attention, Belle crafts a false narrative of surviving brain cancer, drawing inspiration from Milla Blake (Alycia Debnam-Carey), a wellness influencer who advocates for alternative medicine to treat cancer with whom Belle develops a parasocial attachment. Belle’s eventual rise to fame is aided by a similar false narrative that she successfully cured her cancer from healthy eating. However, her deception begins to unravel when two journalists start to question her harmful claims, setting the stage for her inevitable downfall.
“Apple Cider Vinegar” effectively reinforces the distinction between reality and fiction by opening every episode with a disclaimer of Dever’s Gibson saying, “This is a mostly true story based on a lie.” This brief fourth-wall break, however needlessly direct, sets the ground for the writers to explore Gibson beyond what is present in the public eye without fully blurring truth and fiction. “True story” dramas aren’t meant to be documentaries, and “Apple Cider Vinegar” clarifies that it has taken creative liberties to portray the story at hand.
A few of these creative liberties include expanding on the arguably two most fascinating characters within the series: Milla Blake and Clive Rothwell (Ashley Zukerman). Blake is partially based on Jessica Ainscough, a real-life wellness influencer who, like Blake, was diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue cancer and turned to alternative medicine for cancer treatment. In the show, Blake, unwilling to amputate her arm, turns to alternative treatments, posting her journey to recovery on a blog that gained public traction. There is an interesting complexity to Blake in the show: Her desperate hope that there is another way to heal herself creates a destructive and all-consuming faith in alternative medicine. Her blind faith ultimately leads to her own, and even her mother’s, death when she convinces her mother to also commit to “holistic” treatments. With Blake, the audience witnesses a very human, raw and even painful desperation to heal — and how that desperation can lead to putting one’s trust in dangerous options.
On the other hand, Rothwell is based closely on the real-life partner of the real Belle Gibson. In the series, Rothwell is given a quiet, nearly pathetic demeanor as he simply follows Gibson around. He is a silent pillar from the moment they meet, paying and supporting Belle in her endeavors while also serving as the stable parent to Gibson’s child. An interesting shift in Rothwell’s character is when it is indicated he knows — to some degree — about Gibson’s deception regarding her cancer diagnosis. Zukerman’s subtle expressions and looks of silent doubt brings the mystery of Rothwell to life, leading the audience to ask questions regarding Rothwell’s loyalty and choice to stay with Gibson despite being aware of her lies. While he is clearly devoted to Gibson’s son, the final episode suggests he also still loves Gibson despite all of the manipulation, cruelty and deception. Through this complexity, the writers create fascinating layers to Rothwell’s motivations and personality, making him another highlight within the series.
However, the true cornerstone of “Apple Cider Vinegar” is Dever’s absolutely stunning performance as Gibson. With Dever’s skill, Gibson becomes a desperate, conniving con woman whose desire to be loved has taken over all sense of reason. Tragic breakdowns are a tool in Gibson’s arsenal of manipulation that Dever delivers in shockingly real style. Each tear feels calculated, sparking anger from the viewer watching with the knowledge of Gibson’s deception. Without Dever, there wouldn’t be half the energy and delicate balance in creating pity and hate. Dever is such a dynamic presence on screen, and I had so much fun watching her gaslight, cheat, lie and manipulate as Gibson.
While sometimes conventional in its storytelling, “Apple Cider Vinegar” shines with its multifaceted characters and a strong central performance by Dever. The series has an addictive sharp bite that simply leaves you wanting more pieces to its narrative of deception — distinctly as sour and acidic in tone as the apple cider vinegar namesake.
