Apple Cider Vinegar”, a slickly produced exposé of the holistic health grift that thrived in the early wild west of social media. The show is frustrating and essential viewing, proof that the internet remains a minefield of quack cures, digital hucksters, and pathological liars. Some people crave attention so desperately that no amount of likes can fill the void, so much so that they fake a seizure they once saw in a real-life boy with cancer. This well-produced Australian series reminds us why it’s crucial to stay sceptical online, because if someone isn’t trying to hack you, they’re selling you black salve for your tumours.
The Storyline
Apple Cider Vinegar also confronts the realities of hope, misinformation and the cancer itself on patients, relatives, friends, the healthcare staff, etc. Great acting, tonally balanced (deals with sensitive topics whilst also having a sense of humour). It’s interesting from start to finish. A young, fake health influencer lies about having overcome brain cancer while a real patient fights her condition simultaneously.
The Best Part
Belle clearly is the product of a mum with significant mental illness. Experienced a high level of neglect on most levels. The impact of that on a child is significant. Particularly if that child also has a mental illness of some kind. Her mum loves her but has no idea how to parent. The subject matter is very powerful and highlights how, in the wrong hands, social media can be used so easily to deceive people when they are at their lowest.
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It’s a cautionary tale of a medium that not only allows but thrives on user engagement, often relying on people whose self-interest (and in at least this case, serious mental health issues) is used to spread pseudo-scientific medical advice and manipulate anyone willing or desperate to listen. Social media companies are utilising these kinds of people to increase engagement, and there are no regulations to curb this kind of behaviour, so we are going to see this play out over and over again.
The Characters
Great acting with a special shout-out to Kaitlin Dever, who excels in the main role. Her Aussie accent is spot on. Acting was top notch across the entire cast, particularly Kaitlyn Dever, outstanding and truly delivered, and BJ Nolak, proving he is just as good in drama as in comedy.
IMDb Rating – 7.2/10
Written by Nilesh Shiv