Apple Cider Vinegar TV Review

Apple Cider Vinegar 

Based on the true story of Belle Gibson and her empire, this miniseries dives into the

highs, lows, and ugly bombshells that followed her around. Belle was a bright gal who

wanted more attention, so she lied about having cancer. Milla had cancer, and tried to cure

it on her own. Both gals learn the hard way that lying and false hope are giving them huge

reality checks whether they like it or not.

Positive Elements: Though Belle is a sociopath, she still cares for her son Bubby. Her

two partners Nathan and Clive try to care for her in their own ways. However, Clive notices

Belle's problematic behavior and tries to get her help. He even cares for Bubby, knowing

Belle is busy and working a lot.

Milla is a kindhearted soul who is saddened by her returning cancer. She believes

curing cancer on her own is the way to go. Her parents express concern, but love her

deeply. Milla's father Joe comforts her when someone dies. Arlo is supportive of Milla

throughout the journey. He is by her side and refuses to throw in the towel. Milla does her

best to have a positive attitude, and calls out someone for giving her food poisoning.

Justin and Sean are hard working reporters who dig deep into Belle's story. Though

other people try to dissuade them,  they continue to fight. Justin's partner/wife Lucy comes

around after realizing Belle is a fraud. Sean points out legal activity in Belle's case to help

bring her to justice. Milla's friend Chanelle apologizes to her after sidlining their friendship

for a time. Though these characters have their fair share of mistakes, most of them realize

the error of their ways.

Spiritual Content: Lucy attends a retreat in Peru where she drinks medicine to help

cleanse her body. Some scenes picture Buddha and Peru gods. Someone's funeral takes

place in a small facility and her casket is decorated with flowers. Belle posts on social

media to say prayers for Milla and her mom.

Sensual Content: Belle, Milla and other female characters wear revealing garb. Belle

does live with both Nathan and Clive out of wedlock. She gets pregnant twice (we see her

exposed belly). Belle showers (critical areas are hidden) and writes a post while wrapped

in a bath towel. Milla and Arlo live together and almost marry (they kiss several times). Belle

and Clive have sex (clothes are removed and we see their bare shoulders). Two other

couples are presumably naked ( we only see their bare shoulders and arms). Lucy and

Justin kiss multiple times. During a doctor's appointment, Belle strips down to her bra and

panties to undergo a scan. Some guys are seen shirtless.

Violence: Cancer is not an easy process. (Spoiler Warning): Milla and her mom die

from different forms of cancer. Milla’s mom collapses in the airport, and breathes heavily.

Milla has small tumors on her arm that reappear after a time. Belle has a seizure, she

breaks a huge plate with fruit on it. Once the truth is revealed, one social media user writes

“I hope [Belle] dies from cancer.” A young boy collapses onto hard pavement. Belle throws

a magazine at Hek (a journalist) in a moment of rage. Milla rages against a waitress (Justin

calmly talks her down from it). Belle has a miscarriage (we see her holding her stillborn

baby). Lucy, Belle and Milla are shown in the hospital undergoing MRI and chemotherapy

options. We see them wince as needles are (offscreen) put into their bodies. Milla and her

mum are given drinks through a hose that is inserted through their butts (the process is

also offscreen). Belle drives recklessly a couple times. Bubby breaks the television (we see

a huge crack on the screen).

Language: Several f-words are peppered throughout the script, along with two c-

words, and multiple s-words. Other profanities include misuses of God’s name, Jesus’

name, a–, h—, b–ch, d–n, and b–tard.

Drugs/Alcohol: Several characters (including Chanelle and Belle) drink heavily.

Margaritas, beer and champagne are repeatedly shown. Milla’s mom takes pain killers.

Belle drinks and hallucinates seeing Milla at one juncture. She downs wine, and her speech

is slurred. Belle and a few other characters smoke cigarettes. Belle and Hek consume

several glasses of wine and become tipsy.

Other Negative Elements: As mentioned, Belle is a sociopath. She lies incessantly,

manipulates others and becomes angry when questioned about her authenticity.

Eventually, she loses money because of her fraud scheme. Her money isn’t being donated

to the charities, she hoards it for herself. Belle and her two partners engage in verbal fights

(one almost becomes physical). Bubby throws up (offscreen) and we see his stained bed

sheet. Belle locks him in his room before an important work meeting. 

Milla also faces criticism from online strangers. She and her family have moments of

tension. Joe rages against a doctor when learning about Milla’s returning cancer. Belle

double crosses multiple people. Chanelle partners with her for a time, causing a rift in her

and Milla’s friendship. Lucy and Justin have a verbal argument about Belle’s credibility.

Lucy vomits after putting foreign medicine into her body. Belle drinks apple cider vinegar

and pulls a ringworm from her mouth.

Conclusion: Apple Cider Vinegar can be viewed as a cautionary tale of power-hungry

companies and attention seeking. Indeed, we notice plenty of lying, false hope, and

deception abound in this miniseries. However, we also see moments of care, love and

sacrifice too. So, that’s what makes watching it a mixed bag.

Let’s not forget the language, sensuality, and heavy drinking either. Characters are

washing their problems away with alcohol and cigarettes. They bark out curse words like

rotten candy. Living together is the norm for these folks as well and children are stuck in the

middle of it. 

Despite the problems, Apple Cider Vinegar boasts great performances. Kaitlyn Dever

(known for Dear Evan Hansen and Rosaline) nails Belle’s sociopathic personality and

mannerisms. Alycia Debnam-Carey (TV’s The 100 and Fear the Walking Dead) brings her

soul and positivity as Milla. Each performance is elevated and not too forced. We learn a bit

more about the cancer industry and see doctors who do their best to help patients in need.

The miniseries teaches us that lying is no good. Belle’s lies catch up with her and she

faces prison for charity fraud. Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) states “Truthful lips endure forever, but

a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Ephesians 4:25 (NCV) declares “So you must stop

telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body.”

Both Bible verses are clear: lying your way to fame is no way to live. People who are

desperate for fame (like Belle) flatter people and use them for their own gain. When power

is their god, they grow hungry for more. The lies are tangled and messy, so it’s no surprise

their followers are upset when the truth is revealed. Though this is only a miniseries, Apple

Cider Vinegar provides a valuable insight on attention-seeking people. The content

concerns are not to be ignored, but viewers choosing to stream Apple Cider Vinegar will be

reminded of the dangerous cost of lying and (hopefully) not take the same route Belle did.