A chilling new true crime documentary has landed on Netflix, delving into one of the most disturbing cases of recent years. Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story explores the harrowing child abuse perpetrated by YouTube vlogger Ruby Franke and her associate, family counsellor Jodi Hildebrandt.
A Twisted Alliance Uncovered
The film traces how the two women met at their local church in Utah. Hildebrandt, who founded the life-coaching firm ConneXions, wielded a perilous influence over Franke, a mother of six known for her controversial parenting advice on the YouTube channel 8 Passengers. Hildebrandt became obsessed with 'correcting' Franke's family, with her manipulation culminating in severe abuse.
The case came to light in August 2023 when one of Franke's sons, then 12, managed to escape from Hildebrandt's home. Security footage captured the malnourished boy pleading with a neighbour for food and water and asking to be taken to the police. Officers who searched the property made a heartbreaking discovery: his younger sister was found shaven-headed and terrified in a closet. Ropes, handcuffs and other evidence of torture were located in a safe room.
Convictions and Critical Backlash
In February 2024, both Jodi Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke were found guilty on four counts of aggravated child abuse. Each received sentences of four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison and are now serving their time separately at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
The documentary has faced significant criticism for its grim subject matter. The Guardian's Lucy Mangan labelled it "supremely grubby" and "twisted," questioning the ethics of producing such content. However, director Skye Borgman defended the film's importance, telling Netflix's Tudum, "If that young boy hadn't escaped that day, I think those kids probably wouldn't be with us today."
Lasting Impact and Fallout
The film exposes the tactics Hildebrandt used to control and isolate clients, featuring testimonies from several of them. She is described as a master manipulator who twisted language to make clients inflict harm on loved ones. Following her conviction, the Utah Department of Commerce's Division of Professional Licensing revoked her clinical mental health counselling licence.
The identities of the two abused children, along with their four siblings, remain protected. The case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked influence and the dark realities that can lurk behind curated online personas. Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story is available to stream on Netflix now.
