Apple Cider Vinegar Review: Cancer Fame, Lies, Alternative Therapies and Fraud

Apple Cider Vinegar Review | Leisurebyte

Director: Jeffrey Walker

Date Created: 2025-02-06 13:30

Editor's Rating:
3.5

Based on a book and true events, Netflix’s newest Australian TV drama tells the story of a woman who not only faked cancer but also tricked many into pursuing alternative treatments. This Apple Cider Vinegar review looks into the TV series created based on this incident and how well it presents the world that was turned upside down for many because of her preachings. Meanwhile, the show itself takes on an intriguing look to be presented to the audience.

-No Spoilers-

Apple Cider Vinegar Review

The plot of the show follows the life of wellness Guru Belle Gibson, who tricked the world with a fake cancer story that she convinced her followers she kept under control with her self-care therapy. With a wide social media following, she tricked many and also committed charity fraud leading many to follow her steps and fall in front of the disease.

Following the true events of Belle Gibson’s life, this series covers her story not only in an intriguing way but also with some very interesting elements. Be it the narration the way everyone’s thoughts are presented, or the way every episode opens with someone new reminding us that this is a true story based on a lie, the series definitely has many elements that keep you hooked. A curiosity very easily builds up when we see the ups and downs of Belle’s life.

However, the changing dates and points of view can be quite confusing, especially in the earlier episodes of the show. These transitions, alongside the transitions between Belle, Milla and Chanelle’s characters, are another point that can be a little too much for the audience to keep up. These transitions are not always smooth and adding on to this is the shift in the timeline as well which only adds fuel to the fire.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the performance of the actors, they have all without a doubt brought out their best act in this series. They will leave you stunned with how realistic their performance comes out to be, bringing to the show a touch of reality that only improves one’s viewing experience.

Now, coming to the star of the show- Belle Gibson. The show is definitely centred around her character, showing us where her actions emerge from and how she shifts from one point to another with such ease that you are left stunned by her ability to lie. She is someone who needs psychological assessment, and as even mentioned in the beginning, her mental state is in a state of imbalance. She not only creates lies around herself but also for those around her.

When reading about her, there is surely so much more that happened during her rise and fall, and unfortunately, the series doesn’t dive deep into what she really did. It doesn’t go deep into her actions, her recipes, or what she faced when her truth was out. Instead, it shows her having an alright ending with her family around her- happy and smiling; while she blocks all the negativity beyond the wall she created around her. This was quite the letdown because, to be honest, this was also an important part of her life and should’ve been shown more.

Either way, the show was definitely intriguing to watch but it is not for everyone. It is brutal in many ways, sensitive for the audience, and just not suitable for everyone.

Summing Up

Apple Cider Vinegar brings wellness Guru Belle Gibson’s story; the woman who made use of social media, her mind, and an app to lie and convince the world that cancer can be treated through a controlled diet. She not only convinced many to follow alternative treatment methods and put many at risk but also made an empire out of it which crumbled soon after. This is her story and this is not for everyone.

Watch Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix.

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