A new Netflix miniseries depicts an Australian influencer who fabricated a terminal illness to promote alternative treatments, delivering a cautionary tale a decade on.
Termed Apple Cider Vinegar, the miniseries delves into the distortion of reality and the convoluted justifications offered by Gibson for her actions. Showrunner Samantha Strauss navigates Gibson's tenuous relationship with the truth by blending actual events with fictionalized scenarios, rendering it challenging to discern the actual sequence of events. The portrayal of Gibson, played by Kaitlyn Dever from *Dopesick*, encapsulates the pitfalls of the "fake it 'til you make it" mentality within the hustle culture.
The series follows Gibson's emulation of another influencer, Blake, co-opting her cancer journey, persona, and advocacy for alternative therapies. The narrative also introduces Lucy, embodying the followers who abandoned conventional treatment based on Gibson's recommendations. These characters illustrate the dark side of the idealized wellness world propagated on social media.
Hek, Gibson's crisis PR manager, highlights the hope and allure of quick fixes peddled by fraudulent health personalities. The series portrays Gibson's refusal to provide a clear explanation for her deceit, leaving viewers to ponder her motivations.
In challenging the traditional storyline closure, the series disrupts the expected resolution by prompting viewers to seek the truth independently, underscoring the paradox of relying on the internet for information in a narrative rooted in online deception.
Gibson’s saga underscores the complex interplay of internet culture, wellness communities, and individual motives, prompting reflection on our interactions with curated online personas.
While Gibson stands out among wellness deceivers, *Apple Cider Vinegar* serves as a compelling reminder to approach online content with a critical eye.
*Apple Cider Vinegar* is now streaming on Netflix starting from February 6th.