‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ Review: Kaitlyn Dever in Netflix Wellness-Scammer Saga That Serves Nothing New

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What, exactly, do you hope to feel at the end of a scammer saga?

Are you excited about the audacity of the scam and how they came close to pulling it off without getting caught? Perhaps you feel a sense of outrage towards the damage they’ve caused others or a sense of satisfaction knowing that you wouldn’t have been deceived. Do you hope for those responsible to face punishment, be praised, or perhaps both at once?

Or in another way:

Are you looking forward to finding amusement in the daringness of the scam and their near success? Maybe you feel a strong sense of anger towards the harm they’ve inflicted on others or satisfaction knowing that you wouldn’t have fallen for it. Do you desire to see them punished, celebrated, or perhaps both at the same time?

If you’re uncertain about it – apparently, Netflix’s show “Apple Cider Vinegar” shares your confusion. This drama based on real events wanders in terms of time, mood, and subject matter, dishing out a smorgasbord of elements but not providing enough depth to truly engage viewers.

Or:

If you’re unsure – it seems that Netflix’s “Apple Cider Vinegar” is just as undecided. This true-story drama lacks focus, moving haphazardly through time and tone, offering a variety of themes but not fully developing any one to leave viewers satisfied.

The individual under scrutiny is Belle Gibson, portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever with a strong Australian accent, who gained prominence around 2012 for claiming to have cured her brain cancer through unconventional methods like healthy eating instead of traditional treatments. Her story was so captivating that she built a wellness empire from it, including a successful app and an upcoming cookbook — until 2014 when it was exposed that she had been lying about having cancer the whole time.

The hour-long premiere reveals that Belle is currently entangled in a scandal, and she’s urgently trying to convince her crisis management representative (Phoenix Raei) of her innocence. She believes she can rectify the situation and claims that she has been misinterpreted. The series, titled Apple Cider Vinegar, splits across its six chapters, alternating between portraying the ascending phase of Belle’s story (her rise) and the descending phase (her fall). Occasionally, it revisits scenes we’ve already witnessed or skips ahead to unseen moments, or delves into earlier periods in her life.

Belle’s narrative shares similarities with Milla’s (portrayed by Alycia Debnam-Carey), another attractive influencer who earns a living by sharing her experience of overcoming cancer through a specific diet. Unlike Milla, who appears to be genuinely afflicted and sincerely follows the advice she provides, Belle seems to have been inspired by Jessica Ainscough, a wellness advocate who unfortunately was battling cancer herself.

Additionally woven into the narrative is Lucy’s (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) story, a breast cancer patient who unwittingly takes on the role of a typical individual susceptible to Belle and Milla’s quack remedies. Accompanying her is Justin (Mark Coles Smith), her journalist spouse.

OR

The narrative also features Lucy’s (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) journey, a breast cancer patient who unknowingly embodies the kind of person easily swayed by Belle and Milla’s snake oil. Alongside her is Justin (Mark Coles Smith), her journalist husband.

OR

The story also unfolds with Lucy’s (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) experience, a breast cancer patient who inadvertently serves as a representation of someone susceptible to Belle and Milla’s fraudulent remedies. Accompanying her is Justin (Mark Coles Smith), her journalist husband.

If the multiple strategies become overwhelmingly busy, it’s not surprising since it mirrors the storyline – one characterized by the pace of social media, where you can swiftly move between posts with a thumb swipe or a casual click could lead you on an unexpected journey. The mid-2010s Instagram atmosphere is intensified by the barrage of emojis and comments that fill the screen as Belle and Milla bask in admiration or recoil from criticism.

The style of the show aligns unfortunately with the recent trend of glossy and stylish scam stories from 2022, making it seem a bit unoriginal, even though Belle’s tale is less well-known (particularly outside of Australia) than many others, and Belle herself isn’t as extraordinary as characters like Anna Delvey from “Inventing Anna” or Adam Neumann from “WeCrashed.

Let me clarify: Dever delivers yet another convincing act, masterfully portraying the confusing blend of false humility, excessive compliments, and self-dramatic tears that Belle employs to win over helpful figures such as her patient boyfriend (Ashley Zukerman) or her editor (Catherine McClements).

However, her psychological profile lacks depth, and major breakthroughs in her career as a swindler, such as the launch of her Whole Pantry app, appear spontaneous. These moments are not particularly engaging to observe as she devises these strategies, nor enlightening to witness her escaping the consequences.

(or)

Her psychological makeup is shallow, and key advancements in her criminal career, like the creation of Whole Pantry app, seem sudden. It’s neither entertaining to follow her as she cooks up these plans, nor insightful to see her get away with them.

Instead of delving deeply into Belle’s complex aspects, the story concentrates heavily on her at the cost of richer material related to her. Milla assumes a captivating role, being both the unintentional instigator and the pitiful sufferer of her own deceptions. However, her emotional growth isn’t fully explored, despite having ample screentime. Primarily, she exists to provide Belle with a more compassionate contrast.

Similarly, while Chanelle, portrayed by Aisha Dee, serves as the connector for all the diverse storylines in the series – she’s Milla’s best friend and an assistant to Belle, and significantly involved in Belle’s fall – we are granted only a partial insight into her viewpoint.

At its most insightful instances, Apple Cider Vinegar seems to imply that Belle might be a manifestation of an existing toxic environment rather than the illness itself. Milla, a disenchanted young woman who feels belittled by doctors treating her like a rebellious child and directing discussions about her treatment towards her father instead of herself, finds a false sense of safety in charlatans peddling enema treatments and detox regimens. With sincere conviction, she encourages others to follow suit, paving the way for con artists like Belle to capitalize on these ideas even more.

A gullible media empowers them by believing their falsehoods and sometimes even honoring them; at a certain point, Belle and Milla are both nominated for an award that recognizes “amusing, brave women” in the business world.

The situation is distressing enough to ignite anger towards Belle’s callous exploitation, dismay at those who unwittingly fostered such “wellness” deceptions, and sadness for the individuals who suffered financial losses or even death. It’s also frustrating that the series didn’t delve deeper into these aspects, instead focusing more on portraying Belle as a solitary villain. Ultimately, her tale turns out to be a recurring narrative – she’s merely another opportunist wreaking havoc through a vulnerable group, leaving destruction in her path.

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2025-02-05 18:25