Netflix’s new drama series “Apple Cider Vinegar” tells the true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian influencer who faked her own brain cancer diagnosis to gain fame and fortune. The show follows Belle (Kaitlyn Dever) as she navigates her scandalous rise to fame and her subsequent downfall.
The series jumps back and forth in time, exploring Belle’s life before and after her fake illness was exposed. It also delves into the lives of other influencers, including Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey), who genuinely believes she has cancer and promotes questionable treatments.
Despite a strong performance from Kaitlyn Dever, the show struggles to provide depth and nuance in its portrayal of Belle’s psychological motivations. The series also fails to explore the more complex themes of toxic systems and enabling culture that are present in Gibson’s story.
Ultimately, “Apple Cider Vinegar” feels like a familiar tale of opportunism and destruction, with Belle serving as just one example of how a vulnerable community can be taken advantage of. The show raises important questions about the role of social media and credulous media in perpetuating lies, but it doesn’t fully explore these themes.
While “Apple Cider Vinegar” is not a standout series, Kaitlyn Dever’s performance as Belle Gibson is persuasive and engaging, making for an entertaining but ultimately shallow viewing experience.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/apple-cider-vinegar-review-netflix-kaitlyn-dever-1236123103