
The mini-series chronicles the story of Belle Gibson, a well-known Australian influencer who fabricated various health issues such as heart troubles, seizures, and Stage 4 brain cancer to sell a diet app. If Gibson could supposedly heal her non-existent illnesses by avoiding sugar, gluten, red meat, and other “toxins,” then so could her followers, according to her pitch. Kaitlyn Dever, the only American in the cast, delivers a remarkably authentic (at least to this American) portrayal of Gibson, complete with an apt accent and the exaggerated hysteria reminiscent of a Chloe Fineman character on “Saturday Night Live.” Following her impressive performances in “Unbelievable” and “Dopesick,” which garnered her an Emmy nomination, Dever has the opportunity to explore comedic aspects here. Although Gibson’s actions were indeed serious, involving fraudulent activities and causing immense distress to her family and supporters, the way her lies unfold can be amusingly absurd, such as asserting she had left medical records that would confirm her diagnosis at her estranged mother’s house. In a humorous twist, it seems even her emotionally distant dog ate her homework!