In Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar, Kaitlyn Dever and Alycia Debnam-Carey star as Belle Gibson and Milla Blake, two characters entrenched in the world of alternative medicine, yet for vastly different reasons. The dynamic between the two is fascinating, as their rivalry grows beyond mere competition to a deeply emotional and personal battle.
Debnam-Carey’s character, Milla, is a firm believer in alternative medicine until she’s confronted by the harsh reality of her mother’s death from cancer, a moment that challenges her long-held beliefs. Despite this devastating loss, Milla refuses to let go of her convictions, creating a tense and complex rivalry with Belle. According to Debnam-Carey, Milla’s determination to hold onto her beliefs, even in the face of tragedy, makes the conflict between her and Belle even more personal, driving a “frenemy” dynamic.
Dever’s character, Belle, is equally complex. While she admires and idolizes Milla, she also envies her success in the same space where she herself is striving to make a name. Belle keeps close tabs on Milla’s every move online, caught in a twisted combination of admiration, longing, and resentment. Dever notes that Belle doesn’t just want to emulate Milla—she wants to be Milla, who represents everything Belle feels she is lacking: credibility, purpose, and a genuine sense of validation.
The show explores how their stories are intertwined, revealing how their parallel journeys echo and mirror each other. As their rivalry deepens, it evolves into a battle for identity and acceptance, where both characters are ultimately striving for something the other possesses. This emotional and psychological war makes their interactions all the more intense and heartbreaking.
Apple Cider Vinegar offers a compelling exploration of identity, ambition, and the dangerous allure of alternative medicine. It is now streaming on Netflix.