Wellmania

What’s it about?

Liv, a human tornado, is forced to rethink her ‘live fast, die young’ philosophy after a major health scare. She throws herself into a wellness journey, trying everything she can to reclaim her old life.

The facts

• Co-created by Brigid Delaney and Benjamin Law
• Stars Australian comedian Celeste Barber
• Based on Delaney’s memoir Wellmania: Misadventures in the Search for Wellness
• English language
• Eight episodes, ~30 minute episodes

Why did it get this rating?

This series was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Drug use

The first episode includes many references to drugs as part of Liv’s lifestyle and general approach to treating her body badly. Two women smoke a joint in the bedroom. One tells the other to stop smoking it in case her pre-teen smells the drugs (and she’s trying to teach her that drugs are bad).

Liv asks the doctor for a prescription for benzodiazepines, “benzos”.

We see Liv binge drinking at a function and what follows is a series of bad choices. In the bathroom she buys some drugs off an older woman, snorts the drugs and shares them with a man she’s just met.

Offensive language

There is a lot of swearing throughout where Liv uses language for emphasis or when shocked or surprised. This is often used in a funny way and is definitely intended for an adult audience. Phrases like “juicy-as-f**k story”, “f**ked by a truck”, and “f**k me dead” add to portrayal of Liv’s character as rude and lacking grace.

Sexual themes

The first episode opens with a sex scene that’s clearly a one-night stand. There is limited nudity but it’s clear what the characters are doing. There are frequent casual references to sex, being horny, or being attracted to people of the opposite sex.

‘Wellness’

Liv sets out to improve her health by doing a ‘Bondi cleanse’. This involves a series of wellness appointments, fasting, cupping, and a bowel cleanse. We see tubes and hear sounds of an enema taking place. When Liv goes for her blood-letting cupping, we see a razorblade being used to pierce the skin before the cups are applied. We then see the resulting in large bloody cupping bruises after the appointment.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?

“It’s not all health and wellness. The show includes a significant amount of drug use and shows the dangers and dark side of the wellness industry, and of Liv. Liv’s self-destructive behaviour is mixed in a dangerous cocktail with fasting, bloodletting cupping and an inability to confront the past.” – The Conversation

• Green juice, microdosing, cupping and… cocaine? Netflix’s Wellmania takes a humorous dive into the heady world of wellness (The Conversation)