Hulu’s New Docuseries Unveils Dark Secrets of Ruby Franke’s Family

Hulu’s latest documentary series, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, takes an in-depth look at the shocking downfall of one of YouTube’s most popular parenting influencers. With never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with Franke’s husband and two eldest children, the series sheds light on the troubling events that led to her arrest and conviction on child abuse charges.

Unseen Footage and First Public Interviews

Ruby Franke, once a prominent figure in the "momfluencer" world, gained a massive following with her 8 Passengers YouTube channel. The channel documented her life with her husband, Kevin, and their six children, attracting 2.5 million subscribers at its peak. However, as her popularity grew, so did concerns about her parenting style.

Some of her videos sparked controversy, such as one where she refused to bring lunch to her 6-year-old daughter after she forgot it at home. Another instance showed Franke excluding two of her children from Christmas as punishment. While many viewers initially questioned her parenting choices, few expected the horrifying reality that was later exposed.

The docuseries provides exclusive insight into Franke’s home life through interviews with her husband, Kevin, and their eldest children, Shari (21) and Chad (20). Shari describes their home as "more like a set than a house," revealing how their family life was heavily curated for the camera. Chad shares that filming became a form of punishment, which eventually led to his expulsion from school. "It bugged the crap out of me. I hated it," he says. "There was a time — maybe a year or more — where I truly hated [Franke]."

The Investigation That Led to Franke’s Arrest

The shocking truth came to light in August 2023, when Franke’s 12-year-old son managed to escape their home and seek help from a neighbor. The child appeared malnourished, with duct tape wrapped around his arms and legs and multiple scratches on his body.

The police immediately launched an investigation, uncovering evidence of severe abuse in both Franke’s home and that of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt. Soon after, both Franke and Hildebrandt were arrested and charged with multiple counts of child abuse. In February 2024, they were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.

Kevin Franke Speaks Out

In the documentary, Kevin Franke addresses the allegations and public criticism. After his wife’s arrest, many social media users and former 8 Passengers fans blamed him for allowing the abuse to continue. However, Kevin claims he was also manipulated by Ruby and Hildebrandt.

Kevin explains that he initially dismissed the backlash against 8 Passengers as "an innocent, religious family that’s being attacked by cancel culture." He insists that he had no idea about the extent of the abuse, saying, "I’ve learned that there was a whole lot of horror that was going on in the shadows and behind the scenes."

Unseen Archival Footage Exposes the Truth

The docuseries features never-before-seen footage recovered from Franke’s hard drives, revealing disturbing moments that were never shared on YouTube. Clips show Franke yelling at her children for making noise during filming and threatening severe punishments if they did not cooperate, especially when shooting advertisements.

Director Olly Lambert points out that while the camera often documented the abuse, it sometimes acted as a shield for the children. "She was less harsh and less strict, and in some cases, more loving, when the camera was on. So that just added another sort of incentivization for the camera to be on, because they got a better Franke when things were being filmed."

The Influence of Jodi Hildebrandt

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the documentary is the role Jodi Hildebrandt played in Franke’s life. Hildebrandt, a self-proclaimed life coach and co-founder of ConneXions, had a significant influence on the family.

A friend of Franke’s, Paige Hanna, says she introduced Franke to Hildebrandt in 2019, believing she could help with Chad’s behavioral issues. At the time, many members of the Mormon community saw Hildebrandt as a "guru."

Chad recalls that he was forced to meet with Hildebrandt twice a week. "To get me back in line, they had to take everything away from me," he says. He describes being given the choice of sleeping in the living room or in the basement on a bean bag. "I slept on that bean bag every night for seven months."

Kevin admits that Hildebrandt’s influence grew stronger over time, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. By early 2021, Hildebrandt had moved into their home. "This is also a story of deception, of control, and ultimately, it’s a story of faith," he says. "If you put your faith in the wrong hands, you can lose everything."

A Story of Control and Deception

While many have speculated that Hildebrandt was the driving force behind Franke’s extreme parenting methods, Shari disagrees. "The fact that Ruby went as far as she did, I wouldn’t blame that on Jodi," she says. "[Hildebrandt] set off things in Ruby that were already in her heart."

Former Hildebrandt employee Patrick Bannon adds another layer to the story, stating that Hildebrandt was obsessed with money and fame. "I saw her treat clients differently according to their status," he says.

The Bigger Picture

Devil in the Family paints a haunting picture of a family manipulated by fame, faith, and control. It reveals the dark side of social media stardom, where the pressure to maintain a perfect image can sometimes mask horrifying realities.

The filmmakers reached out to legal representatives for both Franke and Hildebrandt but received no response. Meanwhile, as the dust settles, Shari and Chad continue to share their stories, hoping to raise awareness and prevent similar situations from happening to others.

This docuseries is a must-watch for anyone interested in the dangers of online fame, blind trust, and the devastating consequences of unchecked power within a family.