You probably remember the 8 Passengers era. It was all matching outfits, huge Utah kitchens, and Ruby Franke’s "tough love" parenting that always felt a little off to anyone watching closely. Then came the August 2023 arrest that turned the internet upside down. Now that the dust has settled and the court cases are over, everyone is asking the same thing: what is the ruby franke documentary called and where can I actually watch the real story?
Honestly, there isn't just one video. It’s more like a wave of content that hit streaming platforms throughout 2025. The big one—the one everyone is talking about on TikTok and Reddit—is a three-part docuseries on Hulu titled Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke.
It’s heavy. It’s hard to watch. But if you want to understand how a "perfect" YouTube mom ended up in a prison cell, that’s your starting point.
The Definitive Answer: Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
If you're searching for what is the ruby franke documentary called, you are likely looking for the Hulu original. Released on February 27, 2025, this series is basically the "official" account because it’s the first time we actually hear from the people who lived it.
We aren't just talking about talking heads or "experts" who never met her. The documentary features extensive interviews with Kevin Franke, Ruby’s ex-husband, and their two eldest children, Shari and Chad.
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Why this one is different
Most YouTube deep dives rely on old clips we’ve all seen. This series got its hands on over a thousand hours of unseen footage. Think about that. A thousand hours of the Franke family’s life that never made it to the 8 Passengers channel because it was too dark, too weird, or too revealing.
Directed by Olly Lambert, the series breaks down into three distinct episodes:
- Abundance: This covers the early years of the channel and the Mormon "perfection" they were selling.
- Distortion: This tracks the entrance of Jodi Hildebrandt and the "ConneXions" era where things went off the rails.
- Truth: This focuses on the 2023 arrest and the police bodycam footage that shocked the world.
Other Documentaries You Might Be Seeing
The Ruby Franke case became a cottage industry for true crime producers. If "Devil in the Family" doesn't sound like the title you heard, you might be thinking of one of these other releases from late 2025:
- Ruby & Jodi: A Cult of Sin and Influence: This dropped on Investigation Discovery (and Max) in September 2025. It leans way more into the religious extremism and the "cult-like" control Jodi Hildebrandt held over Ruby.
- Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story: Netflix got in on the action in December 2025. This one is less about the Franke family and more of a deep dive into Jodi’s history as a therapist and how she allegedly used her license to manipulate dozens of families long before she ever met Ruby.
- Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story: Just a heads-up—this isn't a documentary. It’s a Lifetime movie starring Emilie Ullerup and Heather Locklear. It’s a dramatization, so take it with a huge grain of salt.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Case
A lot of people think the abuse started the day Ruby met Jodi. It didn't.
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If you watch the footage in the documentary, you see the seeds were planted years earlier. The pressure of being the "Mother of YouTube" was a drug for Ruby. She needed the validation. When the internet started "canceling" her for things like taking away Chad’s bed for seven months, she didn't self-reflect. She doubled down.
Jodi Hildebrandt wasn't just a business partner. She was the person who told Ruby that the world was evil and that her children were "possessed" by "distortions." The documentary shows how Ruby was essentially groomed into believing that hurting her children was the only way to save their souls. It's a terrifying look at how isolation and religious extremism can turn a parent into a monster.
The Role of Shari and Chad
Honestly, the bravest part of the Hulu series is Shari Franke. She had been sounding the alarm for years.
She's been incredibly vocal about the "House of My Mother"—which is also the title of her memoir released in 2025. In the documentary, she explains the "in-home separation" where Kevin was basically kicked out of his own house while Ruby and Jodi took over.
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Chad’s participation is also a big deal. For years, he was the "rebellious" kid on the channel. Watching him talk as an adult about being forced to sleep on a bean bag chair while his mother made millions off the footage is gut-wrenching. It changes the way you look at every "family vlog" on the internet.
Actionable Steps for Viewers
If you’re going to dive into the Ruby Franke story, don't just consume it as "content." There are real lessons here about the ethics of the internet.
- Check the Platform: Start with Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke on Hulu for the family perspective. Switch to Netflix's Evil Influencer if you want the legal/psychological breakdown of Jodi Hildebrandt.
- Read the Primary Source: If you want the most nuanced take, pick up Shari Franke’s book, The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom. It provides context the documentaries often miss.
- Think Critically About Vlogging: Use this case as a lens to look at current "momfluencers." If a creator is sharing their child’s most private, embarrassing moments for "likes," they are following the 8 Passengers blueprint.
- Support Child Advocacy: The documentary highlights how many times the system failed these kids. Look into local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs to see how you can help children in similar high-control environments.
The story of Ruby Franke is a tragedy of the digital age. It's about what happens when fame, money, and a lack of boundaries meet a predatory "life coach." Knowing what the ruby franke documentary is called is just the first step in understanding a case that will likely change child labor laws for social media forever.