The true-crime documentary Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story offers a detailed account of how the paths of Utah-based family counselor Jodi Hildebrandt and YouTube creator Ruby Franke became closely intertwined, ultimately resulting in criminal charges and national attention. Directed by Skye Borgman, known for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, the film explores how influence, authority, and trust within a tight-knit religious community shaped a series of deeply troubling events involving Franke’s family. The documentary draws on reporting and interviews, including Borgman’s discussion with Netflix’s Tudum, to outline what happened and where the key figures are now.
How Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story Traces a Rise to Power in Utah
According to the documentary, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt first connected through their shared church community. Franke was widely known for documenting her family life with her six children on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers, while Hildebrandt had established herself as the founder of ConneXions, a life-coaching organization. Over time, Hildebrandt became closely involved in Franke’s family, positioning herself as a central authority figure. The film outlines how this relationship evolved and how Hildebrandt’s role expanded within both the household and the broader community.
The documentary recounts the pivotal moment that brought the situation to light: security camera footage showed a young boy asking a neighbor for food, water, and help contacting police. Authorities later determined that the child, Ruby Franke’s 12-year-old son, had been held at Hildebrandt’s home along with his younger sister. The film details how police discovered signs of severe neglect and injury, leading to the arrest of both women on suspicion of child abuse. These events form the emotional and investigative core of the documentary.
Director Skye Borgman Explains the Focus on Jodi Hildebrandt’s Influence
In her interview with Tudum, Borgman explained that early media coverage largely centered on Ruby Franke because of her online visibility. As her research progressed, Borgman concluded that Hildebrandt’s influence was central to understanding how the abuse occurred. The documentary emphasizes that the child escaped from Hildebrandt’s residence, not Franke’s, a fact Borgman identified as critical to reframing the narrative.
The film also examines how harmful behavior can exist in public view, particularly when authority figures operate within trusted institutions or platforms. Borgman noted that understanding these dynamics is essential for recognizing and preventing similar situations in the future. Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story is presented as a cautionary account of how power, persuasion, and visibility can intersect with devastating consequences. Information in the documentary is attributed to official investigations and Borgman’s interview with Tudum, ensuring a factual and carefully sourced portrayal of the case.
