Hulu’s gripping docuseries Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story has captivated audiences with its disturbing exploration of how a licensed therapist became the architect of a child abuse scandal that shocked America. Directed by Skye Borgman (Abducted in Plain Sight), this four-part series delves into the life of Jodi Hildebrandt, the Utah counselor whose extreme parenting methods, amplified through her online platform ConneXions, led to the 2023 arrest of both her and popular mommy vlogger Ruby Franke.
The story centers on Hildebrandt’s rise as a self-proclaimed “truth teller” in conservative Mormon circles, offering therapy and life coaching via her ConneXions Classroom. Partnering with Franke on the 8 Passengers YouTube channel, they promoted rigid discipline, “tough love,” and spiritual purity — content that drew millions but masked darker practices behind closed doors.
When Franke’s malnourished 12-year-old son escaped Hildebrandt’s home in August 2023, bound with duct tape and begging for help, the facade crumbled. Police discovered Franke’s 9-year-old daughter similarly restrained, both children bearing signs of prolonged abuse — starvation, isolation, and physical restraint justified as “spiritual correction.”
The series uses police bodycam footage, 911 calls, court recordings, and interviews with survivors, former clients, and experts to unpack Hildebrandt’s methods: emotional manipulation, shaming, and control disguised as therapy. Victims describe being told their “distorted” thoughts required isolation, while Hildebrandt’s teachings framed parental authority as divine.
Hildebrandt and Franke pleaded guilty in December 2023 to four counts of aggravated child abuse, each sentenced to four consecutive 1-15 year terms. The docuseries examines how Hildebrandt’s unlicensed “truth-seeking” sessions escalated into cult-like control, with Franke’s children as collateral damage.
Critics praise the series for its restraint: Variety called it “chilling without exploitation,” while The Hollywood Reporter noted Borgman’s skill in letting evidence speak. Viewers report being “shaken,” with many drawing parallels to other influencer abuse cases.
Evil Influencer doesn’t just recount horror — it questions how charisma and online platforms can amplify harm under the guise of help. As Hildebrandt’s influence reached thousands, the series asks: when does guidance become grooming, and therapy turn toxic?
Now streaming on Hulu, this is essential — if disturbing — viewing for anyone interested in true crime, influencer culture, or the dark side of self-help. Jodi Hildebrandt’s story is a cautionary tale of power unchecked — and the children who paid the price.
