If you loved ‘Apple Cider Vinegar,’ stream these true scandals next
If you loved ‘Apple Cider Vinegar,’ stream these true scandals next
Ambition, lies, and scandals - these true crime dramas prove reality is wilder than fiction.
True crime always pulls people in - especially when it involves influencers, celebrities, and a scandal so wild it sounds like fiction. That’s exactly why “Apple Cider Vinegar” has people hooked. The six-part Netflix series dives into the unbelievable true story of Belle Gibson, the wellness influencer who built an empire on a lie. She claimed to have cured her cancer through natural remedies, gaining millions of devoted followers — until the truth came crashing down. With an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s clear that we all can’t get enough of this kind of jaw-dropping tale of deception, greed, and the dark side of internet fame.
And if “Apple Cider Vinegar” left you wanting more, you’re in luck. There are plenty of other binge-worthy series that explore real-life scams, con artists, and high-profile frauds. Whether it’s Silicon Valley CEOs, fake socialites, or the rise and fall of billion-dollar companies, these shows prove that sometimes, the most shocking stories aren’t made up - they actually happened. Here are the best true-story scandals to stream next.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Two young women advocate for wellness remedies to cure deadly illnesses, unraveling their lives as they unknowingly — and knowingly — mislead the world.
Loved ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’? Watch: ‘The Dropout’
One of my favorite shows of 2022 was “The Dropout,” in part because of the sheer scale of the deception. The series follows Elizabeth Holmes, the Stanford dropout who convinced the world she had revolutionized blood testing - only for it all to unravel in one of the biggest fraud scandals in Silicon Valley history. Her company, Theranos, was once valued at $9 billion, but behind the scenes, the technology didn’t work, and Holmes was doing whatever it took to keep the lie going.
The big draw for me was Amanda Seyfried’s performance – it’s nothing short of phenomenal. She doesn’t just mimic Holmes… she fully transforms into her, nailing every detail from the eerily deep voice to her unsettling, unwavering eye contact. Seyfried brings layers to a character who could have been played as a straight-up villain, showing how Holmes’ ambition, charisma, and self-delusion fueled her rise and eventual downfall. It’s the kind of performance that stays with you long after the credits roll.
But “The Dropout” doesn’t just focus on the scandal - it dives deep into the personal and professional choices that led Holmes down this path. The show balances drama with moments of dark humor, painting a gripping picture of how far someone will go to protect their own myth. With a strong supporting cast and sharp writing, it’s a binge-worthy series that proves truth really is stranger than fiction.
The Dropout
The story of Elizabeth Holmes, the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos. Lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation and once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger.
Don’t miss ‘Inventing Anna’
If you love a good scam story, “Inventing Anna” is a must-watch. The show follows the outrageous true story of Anna Sorokin, better known as Anna Delvey, the fake German heiress who swindled her way into New York’s high society. Armed with nothing but confidence, designer outfits, and a convincing backstory, Anna managed to trick banks, hotels, and even her closest friends into funding her luxury lifestyle. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, showing just how far someone can get on sheer nerve alone.
Julia Garner absolutely owns the role, bringing Anna to life with an accent that’s as bizarre as it is captivating. The show also follows journalist Vivian Kent (played by Anna Chlumsky), who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Anna’s web of lies. As Vivian pieces together how Anna pulled off her con, the show jumps between past and present, making it just as much a mystery as it is a drama. It’s flashy, fun, and totally binge-worthy.
Like “Apple Cider Vinegar,” “Inventing” Anna is all about deception, ambition, and the people who get caught up in the fraud. But while “Apple Cider Vinegar” focuses on the wellness industry and Belle Gibson’s fake cancer claims, “Inventing Anna” takes on the world of finance, exclusivity, and high society. Both prove that sometimes, confidence is the most valuable currency of all - until the truth finally catches up.
Inventing Anna
Audacious entrepreneur or con artist? A journalist chases down the story of Anna Delvey, who convinced New York’s elite she was a German heiress.
One more: ‘Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber’
If you’re into stories about tech startups that soar to incredible heights before crashing down, “Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber” is right up your alley. This series takes you through the wild journey of Uber’s rise and the tumultuous reign of its CEO, Travis Kalanick. Joseph Gordon-Levitt steps into the role of Kalanick, playing him as a relentless and often controversial leader whose aggressive tactics and bold decisions propelled Uber to the top - until it all started to unravel.
The show doesn’t just skim the surface - it delves deep into the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley, highlighting the intense power struggles, risky business moves, and the internal chaos that eventually led to Kalanick’s ousting in a dramatic boardroom coup. With a strong supporting cast, including Kyle Chandler as venture capitalist Bill Gurley and Uma Thurman as media mogul Arianna Huffington, the series paints a vivid picture of ambition and excess in the tech industry.
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
Based on the shocking true story, strap in for the meteoric rise and fall of Uber founder, Travis Kalanick. With a lift from venture capitalist Bill Gurley and board member Arianna Huffington, Kalanick takes a win-at-all-costs approach to forge the fledgling start-up into a multi-billion-dollar tech titan. But every surge comes at a price – and as his visionary drive spirals out of control, it threatens to be the downfall of it all.
More to watch after finishing ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’
‘BlackBerry’ | Hulu
BlackBerry
Two mismatched entrepreneurs – egghead innovator Mike Lazaridis and cut-throat businessman Jim Balsillie – joined forces in an endeavour that was to become a worldwide hit in little more than a decade. The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
‘The Playlist’ | Netflix
The Playlist
How Swedish tech entrepreneur Daniel Ek and business partner Martin Lorentzon revolutionized the music industry through free and legal music streaming when they launched Spotify.
‘The Billion Dollar Code’ | Netflix
The Billion Dollar Code
In 1990s Berlin, an artist and a hacker invented a new way to see the world. Years later, they reunite to sue Google for patent infringement on it.