Evil Influencer — Who’s Who (Names, Roles, Connections) | Netflix Doc Guide
Evil Influencer — Who’s Who (Names, Roles, Connections)
Topic: Netflix’s Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story and the real people around the case.
Content note: This article discusses child abuse and coercive control. Details are kept high-level.
At a glance
- What it is: A Netflix true-crime documentary focused on Jodi Hildebrandt and how her influence intersected with Ruby Franke’s family-vlogging fame.
- Why it matters: It’s a case study in how “authority” can be manufactured through therapy language, religious credibility, and social media reach.
- What you’ll get here: A clean who’s-who list, plus a connection map and timeline.
Watch the official trailer
Table of contents
- Quick Who’s Who
- Jodi Hildebrandt
- Ruby Franke
- ConneXions & Moms of Truth
- Kevin Franke
- The Adult Children Who Spoke Publicly
- Jessi Hildebrandt
- Law Enforcement & Prosecutors
- Filmmakers & Key Interview Voices
- Connections Map (How Everyone Relates)
- Timeline (Key Dates)
- Related Docs, Reporting, and Reading
- FAQ
Quick Who’s Who (Names, Roles, Connections)
| Name | Role in the story | Main connection(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jodi Hildebrandt | Former therapist / life coach; central subject of Evil Influencer | Founded ConneXions; partnered with Ruby Franke; convicted in the child abuse case |
| Ruby Franke | Former parenting YouTuber (“8 Passengers”); later Hildebrandt’s close collaborator | Co-ran “Moms of Truth”; convicted in the same case |
| ConneXions | Coaching/relationship program brand tied to Hildebrandt’s influence | Where “truth/distortion” language and control dynamics were reinforced |
| Moms of Truth | Social account/content vehicle that amplified the duo’s parenting ideology | Public-facing “influence layer” connecting audience trust to private control |
| Kevin Franke | Ruby Franke’s ex-husband; father of the children | Separated during the period tied to Hildebrandt’s influence; later spoke publicly |
| Shari Franke | Eldest child; later author and public voice | Spoke about family vlogging + the dynamics around Hildebrandt |
| Chad Franke | Adult child; public voice in later coverage | Part of the “what it was like inside the family system” perspective |
| Jessi Hildebrandt | Jodi Hildebrandt’s niece; previously alleged abuse | Provides a “pattern” lens that predates Ruby Franke |
| Washington County prosecutors | Legal side of the case | Charged and handled prosecution tied to the 2023 arrests and later pleas/sentencing |
| Skye Borgman | Director of the Netflix documentary | Framed the story around coercive influence and escalation |
Jodi Hildebrandt: The “Authority Figure” at the Center
In Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, Hildebrandt is presented as a high-control figure who gained credibility as a therapist/life coach and then used that credibility to shape (and in many cases fracture) other people’s family systems. Her influence wasn’t just “advice” — it functioned like a power structure: define the rules, define who is “in truth,” punish “distortion,” and isolate people from outside feedback.
What to know about her role
- Public identity: Therapist / counselor and later a coaching influencer figure.
- Institutional trust: Many people gave her authority because she appeared professionally credentialed and spiritually aligned with their community.
- Case outcome: She pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the child abuse case; her time served is determined under Utah’s parole system.
The key “connection” concept: Hildebrandt’s power grew when she became the gatekeeper of what counted as “healthy,” “moral,” and “true” — and when families outsourced their judgment to her framework.
Ruby Franke: From “Momfluencer” to Co-Defendant
Ruby Franke built a large audience through family vlogging and parenting content, most famously tied to the “8 Passengers” era. The documentary context (and broader reporting around the case) highlights how a public brand can create a “halo effect”: if millions watch you talk about parenting, people assume your private parenting is stable — even when red flags appear.
What changed when she aligned with Hildebrandt
- Mentorship dynamic: The relationship is often described as Ruby moving from client/peer into a deeper, high-commitment partnership.
- Platform shift: “Parenting advice” became more rigid, more moralized, and more centered on punishment and “truth vs. distortion.”
- Legal outcome: She also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the same case.
ConneXions & Moms of Truth: The “System” Behind the Influence
If you’re trying to understand the “connections” in Evil Influencer, think of ConneXions and Moms of Truth as the infrastructure: the language, the rules, and the audience funnel. This is where influence becomes scalable — not just one-on-one counseling, but content loops that normalize the ideology.
How the framework tends to work (in plain language)
- Labeling: People are sorted into “truth” vs. “distortion.”
- Moral reframing: Ordinary conflict becomes evidence of “sin,” “addiction,” “deception,” or “evil.”
- Isolation: Outside voices are framed as unsafe, dishonest, or contaminated.
- Escalation: Once isolation + moral certainty are in place, extreme actions can start to feel “necessary.”
Kevin Franke: The Ex-Husband, the Separation, and the Aftermath
Kevin Franke is an important “connection node” because his relationship to Ruby (and to the children) shows how influence can reshape an entire family structure. Many accounts of the broader case describe a period where Kevin was separated from the household while Hildebrandt’s role in the family intensified.
Why his role matters in a who’s-who guide
- He links the public “family brand” to the private family breakdown.
- He’s a reference point for “before vs. after” — how the family functioned prior to deeper involvement with Hildebrandt.
- He’s part of the accountability conversation in later documentaries and reporting.
The Adult Children Who Spoke Publicly (And Why That Matters)
Several later projects about the Ruby Franke/Jodi Hildebrandt story include perspective from adult children. That matters for two reasons:
- It separates “audience assumptions” from lived reality. Viewers saw curated clips; the adult children can describe what was happening around the camera.
- It shows the long arc. These dynamics don’t appear overnight; they often build through normalization, silence, and fear of consequences.
Jessi Hildebrandt: The “Pattern” Lens Before Ruby Franke
One reason this case drew such intense scrutiny is that allegations and concerns around Jodi Hildebrandt’s behavior did not appear out of nowhere. Jessi Hildebrandt (Jodi’s niece) has publicly described abuse attributed to Jodi years before the Franke case, which some coverage frames as evidence of a longer-running pattern of control and harm.
In a connections-focused guide, Jessi’s role is not “side drama.” It’s a reminder that harmful influence often leaves a trail — and that early warnings can be missed when a person’s public status feels authoritative.
Law Enforcement & Prosecutors: How the Case Became Public
The public “turning point” in the story is the 2023 rescue that triggered arrests and a criminal case. In many retellings, the documentary included, this is the moment where private harm became undeniable through official intervention.
Key institutions often referenced
- Local law enforcement: Responded to the initial emergency call and conducted searches that uncovered evidence.
- Washington County prosecutors: Brought and handled charges; later addressed the facts and sentencing framework.
- Utah corrections/parole system: Determines actual time served within the imposed sentence range.
Filmmakers & Key Interview Voices
Netflix’s documentary is directed by Skye Borgman. In addition to the primary subjects, the film leans on interviews with people who interacted with Hildebrandt’s programs (clients, observers, and officials), plus archival material and case documentation.
Why the “voice list” matters
- It determines the frame: Is this a story about “internet fame,” “religious coercion,” “therapy misuse,” or all three?
- It shapes accountability: Which institutions failed? Which people saw warning signs? Who had the power to intervene?
- It affects your takeaways: Some viewers will watch for the crime timeline; others will watch for the manipulation playbook.
Connections Map (How Everyone Relates)
Jodi Hildebrandt
├─ founded → ConneXions (coaching / ideology / groups)
├─ built audience via → social content + community credibility
├─ partnered with → Ruby Franke
│ ├─ previously ran → 8 Passengers (family/parenting audience)
│ └─ co-created / amplified → Moms of Truth (content funnel)
├─ influenced / isolated → multiple families & individuals (varies by account)
├─ connected to case via → 2023 arrests → prosecution → sentencing
└─ discussed by → director Skye Borgman + interview participants
Ruby Franke
├─ married to (later divorced) → Kevin Franke
├─ parent of → six children (some later spoke publicly as adults)
└─ convicted alongside → Jodi Hildebrandt
Outside the family system
├─ Law enforcement → initial response + evidence
└─ Prosecutors / courts → charges, pleas, sentencing
Timeline (Key Dates)
| Date | What happened | Why it matters in the “connections” story |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ruby Franke’s family vlogging era gains major traction online (“8 Passengers”). | Creates the audience trust and “expert” perception that later becomes dangerous. |
| 2019 | Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt connect through community ties; Hildebrandt’s role expands in the family’s orbit. | Influence shifts from content to real-life control. |
| Aug. 2023 | The case breaks open with an emergency response and arrests. | Private harm becomes a public criminal case. |
| Dec. 2023 | Plea agreements entered (reported widely across major outlets). | Confirms criminal accountability path without a full trial. |
| Feb. 20, 2024 | Sentencing: both women receive consecutive 1–15 year terms on multiple counts (time served determined later). | Legal outcome is “range-based,” which is why updates about parole hearings matter. |
| Dec. 30, 2025 | Netflix releases Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story. | Renews public focus, reframing the story around Hildebrandt’s influence. |
| Dec. 2026 (scheduled) | First parole hearings (reported in multiple summaries of the case). | Explains why “4–30 years” is a real range, not a headline gimmick. |
FAQ
Is Evil Influencer a series or a movie?
It’s a Netflix documentary film (a single feature-length documentary), not a multi-episode series.
Where can I watch it?
It’s streaming on Netflix. Use the official title page to check availability in your region.
What’s the simplest way to remember “who’s who”?
- Hildebrandt = authority + coaching framework
- Franke = audience + family brand
- ConneXions / Moms of Truth = the system that scaled the ideology
- Kevin + adult children = family reality check beyond the camera
- Law enforcement/prosecutors = the boundary where influence becomes a criminal case