We watched Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar: Here's what we think

Netflix's latest hit "Apple Cider Vinegar" proves that truth really is stranger than fiction, especially when it comes wrapped in Instagram filters and wellness blog aesthetics. The six-part series, which has already claimed the #1 spot on Netflix, delivers a compelling narrative that manages to be both entertaining and unsettling without ever tipping into melodrama.

The Perfect Casting

Kaitlyn Dever (known for her work in "Dopesick") brings Belle Gibson to life with remarkable nuance. Her performance captures the fascinating duality of Gibson - a woman who could look directly into a camera and tell the most outrageous lies with the unwavering conviction of someone who might actually believe them. Dever nails the wide-eyed, earnest delivery that made the real Gibson such a convincing figure in the wellness space, while subtly revealing the cracks in her carefully constructed facade.

A Story Structure That Works

The series cleverly frames its narrative through three interconnected stories. At its center is Belle Gibson, the wellness influencer who built an empire on the claim that she cured her terminal brain cancer through healthy living. Parallel to her story runs that of Milla Blake (played by Alicia Debnam-Carey), another wellness influencer who actually has cancer and genuinely believes in alternative therapies. The third strand follows Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), a cancer patient drawn into Belle's orbit, adding a human face to those affected by such deceptions.

Style Meets Substance

Each episode opens with a fourth-wall break, reminding viewers that they're watching "a true story based on a lie" - a device that could have felt gimmicky but instead sets the perfect tone for what follows. The show's aesthetic perfectly captures the sun-drenched, perfectly-filtered world of wellness influencing, while the script maintains a dry wit that prevents things from becoming too self-serious.

More Than Just Another Scammer Story

While "Apple Cider Vinegar" could easily be lumped in with other recent scammer series like "Inventing Anna," it distinguishes itself by diving deeper into the cultural forces that make such deceptions possible. The show explores the legitimate frustrations with traditional medicine that drive people toward alternative therapies, the power of social media to amplify both truth and lies, and the complex psychology that can lead someone to maintain increasingly elaborate deceptions.

Strong Supporting Cast

Special mention must go to Susie Porter and Kieran Darcey-Smith as Milla's parents, whose heartbreaking performances add emotional weight to the series. Ashley Zukerman as Belle's partner brings nuance to what could have been a one-note role, showing how even seemingly stable people can be drawn into supporting harmful deceptions.

The Verdict

"Apple Cider Vinegar" succeeds because it refuses to take the easy route of either pure vilification or unearned sympathy. Instead, it presents a thoughtful exploration of how desperation, ambition, and technology can combine to create perfect storms of deception. The series maintains its momentum across all six episodes, balancing its entertainment value with genuine insight into the wellness industry and human nature.

As the show demonstrates, the real danger isn't just the occasional outright fraudster - it's the way social media and wellness culture can blur the lines between hope and hype, belief and deception, helper and opportunist. It's a timely reminder to approach online wellness advice with a healthy dose of skepticism, without completely dismissing the legitimate desires for alternative approaches to health and healing.

While the series occasionally threatens to overflow with plot threads, much like its namesake, "Apple Cider Vinegar" proves to be a well-balanced blend - sharp enough to cut through the noise but palatable enough to keep you coming back for more.

So grab your popcorn, out your feet up and enjoy this must-watch show that entertains while prompting valuable discussions about truth, trust, and the stories we choose to believe.