At the outset of the new series ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’, Kaitlyn Dever, playing the centerpiece role, makes a sudden break from the conventional narrative style. In an instance of direct address, the actress offers a unique insight into the genuine life story of the character she’s embodying. ‘This narrative unfolds truth based on deception’, she confidently declares. The details of some individuals have been altered to guard those not guilty. The story’s protagonist, Belle Gibson, was not compensated for this rendition of her story.’ Moments after, Dever transitions back into the character of Belle, acquainting audiences with the latter’s disdain for not being involved in the narrative adaptation: ‘Ridiculous.’
Those with an inclination towards understanding scams will recognize Belle Gibson as a prominent figure within the Australian wellness space. Garnering a sizable following in the early 2010s, Gibson painted the picture of an energetic, attractive, and remarkably spirited single parent. Her narrative was further flavored with a claim of self-treating terminal brain cancer via holistic approaches and dietary changes. This caught the imagination of her audience who were mobilized into a source of revenue via an app.
However, the path to being the new-age health icon came to a sudden halt. A shocking revelation emerged in the public sphere – Gibson, it turned out, had never received a cancer diagnosis. The storyline of ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ cleverly juxtaposes Gibson’s narrative against the stories of two legitimately ill women in her circle, who were engaged in an earnest search for miraculous cancer treatments. This portrayal comes at a time when content around scams is experiencing a surge in popularity.
At the core of each authentic crime narrative is a perception of justice. When the narrative pertains to female con artists, it necessitates the question: What does justice look like for a woman who inflicts harm on others as she dishonestly pursues wealth, success, or fame? Gibson, in 2015, confessed to never actually having cancer, which led to a drastic downfall. She was stripped of her fame, her glamorous lifestyle, and her career, but escaped confinement.
The reception of these outcomes is as revealing of the audience, as it is of the women who are either loved, despised, or loved to despise. The punishment of the scammer, either through public shaming or the prospect of their redemption, elicits varied reactions from us. The severity of their offense often defines the measure of response they inspire in us, whether we celebrate their downfall or urge their rehabilitation.
Drawing an interesting insight from the unfair nature of it all, it is stated, ‘Men deceive others all the time, and yet, not only are they able to continue living their lives unhindered, they receive handsome rewards to be the headlining speaker at prestigious business events.’ This raises a rightful query worth delving into, not just addressing, as is undertaken by the story.