Netflix's latest true-crime documentary, Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, directed by Skye Borgman, examines the horrifying case of a Utah life coach convicted of extreme child abuse. The film details how Hildebrandt, along with influencer Ruby Franke, subjected two children to starvation, torture, and confinement. While Borgman's signature sober style allows victims and officials to speak, the documentary ultimately feels grubby and voyeuristic, raising questions about the ethics of consuming such twisted content.
The case began when a 12-year-old boy, malnourished and covered in injuries, escaped Hildebrandt's home and rang a stranger's doorbell. Police detective Jessica Bate recounts how the boy's story led to the discovery of his similarly abused sister, hidden in a closet with a shaved head. Ropes and handcuffs were found in a safe room, confirming the severity of the abuse. County attorney Eric Clarke provides thoughtful commentary on the prosecution of Hildebrandt and Franke, who pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse.
The documentary explores how Franke, a popular Mormon influencer, fell under Hildebrandt's control. Hildebrandt, an LDS-approved life coach, used her position to manipulate clients, inducing shame about sexual desire and separating couples. Former clients describe the power she wielded over them and the financial exploitation involved. Franke became Hildebrandt's business and possibly sexual partner, believing their actions were for Christ.
Despite Borgman's skilled storytelling, the film fails to escape accusations of exploitation. It lays out an appalling story of child abuse in the name of God, but does not delve deeply enough into the religious dynamics that enabled it. As with many true-crime entries, viewers may feel complicit in voyeurism. Perhaps it is time to resolve not to watch—or make—such grim content in 2026.
