5 Shocking Documentaries On Ruby Franke And Jodi Hildebrandt: The Cult Of Sin And The Fall Of The Momfluencer

The shocking downfall of 'momfluencer' Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt continues to grip the world, and as of today, December 10, 2025, the true crime genre is saturated with new, deeply disturbing explorations of the case. The story—which involves a wildly popular YouTube family vlogger, a rogue 'life coach,' and horrific child abuse—has been deemed one of the most compelling and tragic true crime stories in recent memory, leading to multiple documentary series and films that seek to unpack the 'ConneXions cult' and the secrets hidden behind the pristine facade of the '8 Passengers' YouTube channel.

The interest in the Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt documentary content is driven by a deep curiosity about how a seemingly loving family could descend into such darkness. These productions, ranging from multi-part docuseries to 90-minute specials, offer fresh interviews, police evidence, and expert analysis, providing a comprehensive look at the legal proceedings, the manipulation tactics, and the ultimate prison sentences handed down to the two women for aggravated child abuse. If you are looking to understand the full scope of the scandal, this is your definitive guide to the most impactful and up-to-date documentaries available.

The Central Figures: Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt Biography and Downfall

The story of the Ruby Franke child abuse case is inseparable from the biographies of the two women who orchestrated the abuse. Their partnership, initially presented as a professional mentorship, quickly devolved into a destructive, cult-like system that culminated in their arrests in August 2023.

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Ruby Franke (Former '8 Passengers' Vlogger)

• Full Name: Ruby Franke (née Griffiths)
• Former Profession: American family vlogger, 'momfluencer'
• YouTube Channel: '8 Passengers' (now defunct), which documented the daily lives of her husband, Kevin Franke, and their six children. The channel amassed millions of followers before controversy led to its closure.
• Role in Scandal: Mother and primary abuser; she claimed her actions were a form of "tough love" and "discipline" dictated by Hildebrandt’s principles.
• Legal Status: Pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
• Sentence: Sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison (a potential maximum of 60 years, with a cap of 30 years under Utah law).

Jodi Hildebrandt (Former 'ConneXions' Life Coach)

• Full Name: Jodi Nan Hildebrandt
• Born: June 15, 1969
• Former Profession: American counselor, therapist, and 'life coach.'
• Business: Founder of the 'ConneXions' coaching program, which she co-ran with Franke. The program promoted controversial, often punitive, parenting and relationship advice.
• Role in Scandal: Business partner and co-conspirator; she was the architect of the extreme 'principles' that led to the abuse. Her niece, Jessi Hildebrandt, has also spoken out about the abuse they suffered under Jodi.
• Legal Status: Pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse.
• Sentence: Sentenced to four consecutive terms of one to 15 years in prison, mirroring Franke's sentence.

The conviction of both women on December 18, 2023, for the abuse of two of Franke's children—one of whom escaped through a window to seek help—sent shockwaves through the family vlogging community and the true crime world.

The Definitive List of Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt Documentaries

The public's fascination with the case has led to a flurry of productions, each offering a unique lens into the '8 Passengers' downfall and the ConneXions cult. These are the most significant documentaries and films covering the scandal:

1. Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence (ID/Max/discovery+)

This is arguably the most comprehensive and highly-publicized docuseries focusing on the duo's destructive relationship. The four-part series dives deep into the origins of the 'ConneXions' coaching program and how it evolved from self-help advice into a system of cult-like control and isolation.

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The documentary features crucial insider perspectives, including interviews with Jodi Hildebrandt's niece, Jessi Hildebrandt, who reveals the extent of the manipulative and abusive behavior they also experienced. It meticulously tracks the disturbing transition of Ruby Franke from a beloved 'Utah mom' vlogger to a convicted child abuser, detailing how the 'therapy' masked years of physical and emotional abuse until the escape of Franke's son shattered the illusion.

2. Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (Hulu)

Hulu’s entry into the true crime coverage focuses heavily on the public-facing image of the Franke family and the sharp contrast with the reality behind closed doors. Titled 'Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,' the series examines the successful family vlogging empire and the moments of controversy that led to public scrutiny long before the arrest.

This documentary is essential for understanding the 8 Passengers controversy—the early signs of abusive behavior that viewers flagged in Franke's YouTube videos—and how the toxicity was amplified by the social media spotlight. It includes commentary from family members, critics, and legal experts on the nature of the abuse and the subsequent legal battle.

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3. Abused By Mum: The Ruby Franke Scandal (Peacock)

Acquired by Peacock and airing on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, this 90-minute film provides a concise, hard-hitting examination of the case.

The documentary, produced by ITN Productions, focuses on the moment of revelation: the escape of Franke's emaciated 12-year-old son, who ran to a neighbor for help, ultimately triggering the police raid and the arrests of both Franke and Hildebrandt. The film is a powerful, focused narrative on the extreme nature of the abuse and the immediate fallout of the scandal.

4. Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story (Lifetime Movie)

While not a traditional documentary, this Lifetime movie is a dramatized retelling of the events, offering a narrative perspective on the "momfluencer downfall."

It explores the rise of the '8 Passengers' channel, Franke's immersion into Jodi Hildebrandt's 'ConneXions' philosophy, and the subsequent psychological and physical abuse of her children. The movie format is designed to explore the emotional and psychological journey of Franke, her estranged husband Kevin Franke, and the children caught in the middle of the cult-like environment.

The Long-Term Impact: Why the Case Continues to Resonate

The sheer number of productions about Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt’s prison sentence and their crimes highlights a significant cultural turning point. The case has sparked crucial conversations about accountability for content creators, the dangers of 'wellness' or 'life coaching' programs operating without regulation, and the inherent risks of putting children's lives on public display for profit.

The documentaries collectively examine the concept of the 'ConneXions cult,' detailing how Hildebrandt used her position as a therapist to manipulate vulnerable parents like Franke, leading to the isolation and abuse of children under the guise of 'truth' and 'discipline.' Experts in the films discuss the psychological tactics used to enforce extreme compliance, which included withholding food and water, and forcing children to perform strenuous labor.

Furthermore, the documentaries feature the voices of those who tried to warn the public, including Franke's eldest daughter, Shari Franke, who had publicly distanced herself from her mother's actions long before the arrest. The ongoing coverage ensures that the victims—Franke's children—are not forgotten, and that the lessons learned about the dark side of social media and unchecked influence remain a cautionary tale for the digital age.