A chilling new Netflix documentary has thrown the spotlight back on one of the internet's most disturbing child abuse cases, detailing the downfall of parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke and her life coach, Jodi Hildebrandt. 'Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story' premiered on the streaming platform on 30 December 2025, exploring the manipulation and horrific crimes that led to both women being imprisoned.
From YouTube Fame to a House of Horrors
The film traces how Franke, who ran the popular family channel '8 Passengers', and Hildebrandt, a licensed therapist and founder of ConneXions, formed a close bond within their Utah Mormon community. Franke's channel, launched in 2015, had amassed around 2.5 million subscribers by June 2020, but her harsh public disciplining methods had long drawn concern.
After her channel was suspended in 2022, Franke began working for Hildebrandt's ConneXions firm. Together, they launched a venture offering parenting advice. The documentary reveals how Hildebrandt's influence intensified, with Franke's focus shifting to 'fixing' her family under the therapist's guidance, which spiralled into extreme abuse.
The Shocking Discovery and Legal Reckoning
The case broke in August 2023 when Franke's 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt's home in Ivins, Utah. He was found malnourished, with deep wounds from being bound with rope, and begged neighbours for food and water. Police discovered his sister was also being held captive.
Inside the property, authorities found rope, handcuffs, and a bowl of cayenne pepper paste allegedly used to 'treat' the boy's wounds. Franke's own diaries detailed punishing her children, who she believed were 'possessed' and exhibited 'satanic chaos'.
Both women pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In February 2024, they received identical sentences: four consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years each. They are currently incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility. Ruby Franke's first opportunity for parole is scheduled for December 2026.
Separation and Self-Preservation in Prison
The Netflix feature includes prison audio recordings suggesting Franke has begun to distance herself from Hildebrandt. While director Skye Borgman admits she lacks definitive proof the estrangement continues, she believes it has persisted.
Speaking to Netflix's Tudum site, Borgman suggested the separation might be a tactical move. "I think this separation helps Ruby recognise where she was and what Jodi was doing," she said. "I also think it's a form of self-preservation. She's looking at the potential time that she could be spending in prison. I think that she's kind of going, 'Wait a minute, if I separate myself, maybe I won't get judged as harshly.'"
'Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story' is now available for streaming globally on Netflix, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked influence and the devastating real-world consequences of online personas.
