APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (2025) – Fascinating look at the Rise and Fall of a Wellness Fraud

The miniseries “Apple Cider Vinegar” tells the compelling true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian internet fraudster who rose to fame by promoting wellness through a healthy diet, claiming to have cured her cancer with her own fabricated therapy. Gibson’s undeniable talent in creating recipes and her natural flair for self-promotion masked her compulsive lying, leading many to believe in her fraudulent claims.

Unfortunately, the series fails to capture the gravity of Gibson’s deceit. The light-hearted, almost comedic tone at the beginning of each episode undermines the seriousness of her actions, particularly her dangerous misinformation about non-medical cancer remedies. Additionally, the nonlinear narrative approach makes the storyline difficult to follow, creating a disjointed viewing experience. Instead of focusing solely on Gibson, the filmmakers introduce subplots involving characters tangentially connected to her, which further dilutes the impact of the central story.

The premature conclusion of the series is another misstep, as Gibson’s life beyond the depicted events reveals her continued fraudulent activities. The series ends with a quirky remark, urging viewers to “Google” the fate of key characters, which, while amusing, detracts from the seriousness of the subject matter.

Despite these flaws, the cast delivers commendable performances. Kaitlyn Dever’s portrayal of Belle Gibson is particularly convincing, showcasing her talent and hinting at promising future roles, such as her upcoming appearance in “The Last of Us Season 2” as Abby, a major new character in the new season.

Overall, while the series serves to educate viewers on the dangers of relying on the internet for information and the proliferation of fake news, its storytelling approach diminishes the potential impact of Gibson’s story. More focused and somber storytelling could have better highlighted the perils of internet misinformation and the importance of vigilance against fraudsters like Belle Gibson.