Netflix’s upcoming six-part series, Apple Cider Vinegar, is set to peel back the glossy veneer of wellness culture and expose the dark truths behind one of Instagram’s most infamous scandals.
Starring Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson, this gripping drama chronicles the meteoric rise and devastating fall of an Australian influencer who built her brand—and her fortune—on a web of lies about a fake cancer diagnosis.
With the release of a teaser trailer, Netflix offers a tantalizing glimpse into Belle’s world of curated perfection, deceitful promises, and eventual downfall.
If you’re fascinated by the collision of wellness trends and social media scams, here’s everything you need to know about Apple Cider Vinegar.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar about?
The series centres on Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through diet and natural remedies. Her story inspired millions and led to lucrative ventures, including a popular app and cookbook. However, it was all based on a lie—Belle never had cancer.
Through its six episodes, Apple Cider Vinegar unpacks the birth of Instagram culture, the meteoric rise of wellness influencers, and the dangerous allure of misinformation. Created by Samantha Strauss (Nine Perfect Strangers), the series also examines how health and wellness were commodified during a time when social media platforms had little accountability.
Is Apple Cider Vinegar based on a true story?
Yes and no. While the series takes creative liberties, it’s inspired by the real-life saga of Belle Gibson, who became infamous after journalists exposed her fraudulent claims. The show also draws from the book The Woman Who Fooled the World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, which details Gibson’s rise and fall.
The creators have emphasized that while the show is rooted in truth, it’s a work of fiction with dramatized characters and events.
“Belle’s rise and fall grifter story is diabolical and it’s a pretty fascinating story,” show creator Samantha Strauss shared with WHO at the Sydney premiere. “To me, it felt like ethically you could only tell her story if you also told the story of the people she could have hurt, and did hurt, along the way.”
“I also loved the idea of delving into other influencers, and other cancer scammers across the world and broadening it out so it wasn’t just a hate-watch or a salacious watch, that it [Apple Cider Vinegar] had something to say,” she added.
“The show touches on the deep confusion surrounding the wellness world and the medical world,” Kaitlyn Dever, who plays Belle Gibson on the show shared. “I hope people can understand what the idea of ‘wellness’ brings to people and the hope it brings to people. The show also toes a very fine line between drama and comedy and I hope that people have a good laugh and a good cry.”
Who stars in Apple Cider Vinegar?
The series boasts a stellar cast, with Kaitlyn Dever (Dopesick, Unbelievable) leading as Belle Gibson, the charismatic yet deceitful wellness influencer. Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead) stars as Milla Blake, another influencer promoting food as a cure for cancer.
“The one thing that I wanted to make sure was that Milla was not a victim,” Alycia told WHO. “I think it’s fascinating to see her go toe-to-toe in the wellness health space with someone who is lying about cancer…It’s such a fascinating, complex, nuanced story.”
Aisha Dee (The Bold Type) rounds out the cast, playing Chanelle, a close friend of Milla and Belle’s business partner. Tilda Cobham-Hervey (I Am Woman) portrays Lucy, a cancer patient captivated by Belle’s message, alongside Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin) as Lucy’s sceptical husband. The ensemble is rounded out by Ashley Zukerman, Susie Porter, and Essie Davis. Despite being an Arizona native, Kaitlyn Dever delivers a flawless Australian accent as Belle Gibson, thanks to intensive work with a dialect coach—a performance that has already earned high praise from the show’s creators.
Where was Apple Cider Vinegar filmed?
The series was filmed across Melbourne, showcasing the city as a hub for aspirational wellness culture. Creator Samantha Strauss described the locations as pivotal in capturing the aesthetic and ethos of early social media.
“We had so many locations that took us from far-flung parts of Melbourne one day to the Dandenong Ranges the next,” said Strauss. “We wanted to show Melbourne as an aspirational place to be.”
When will Apple Cider Vinegar be released?
If you’re fascinated by shows like Inventing Anna or The Dropout, Apple Cider Vinegar is a must-watch. It combines the gripping drama of a scammer’s rise and fall with a thought-provoking critique of wellness culture and social media.
Apple Cider Vinegar is set to premiere on Netflix, on February 6, 2025.
