Hulu’s Ruby Franke Docuseries Reveals Dark Truths Behind ‘8 Passengers’
The shocking story of Ruby Franke, once a beloved YouTube "momfluencer," is now the focus of Hulu’s latest docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke . This series brings forth never-before-seen footage and the first public interviews with Franke’s family members, shedding light on the disturbing reality behind the once-popular 8 Passengers channel.
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For years, Franke gained fame by documenting her strict parenting style and family life, amassing millions of followers. However, behind the wholesome facade, viewers had long speculated about the mistreatment of her children. Those concerns turned into horrifying reality when, in August 2023, Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped to a neighbor’s house—malnourished, restrained with duct tape, and pleading for help. That moment triggered a police investigation, leading to Franke’s arrest and subsequent conviction on child abuse charges.
The docuseries gives an in-depth look at the events that led to Franke’s downfall. It features candid interviews with her estranged husband, Kevin Franke, and their eldest children, Shari and Chad. They describe a household that felt more like a film set than a home, where their mother prioritized content over their well-being. Chad reveals how he was forced to participate in videos as a form of punishment, saying he “hated it” and “truly hated” his mother at times. Shari shares a chilling memory of cleaning blood off the walls after her brother was beaten.
Hulu’s series also uncovers the influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, Franke’s business partner and co-founder of the controversial life coaching group ConneXions . The two women promoted an extreme, authoritarian parenting philosophy that viewers often criticized as abusive. As their relationship deepened, Hildebrandt moved in with Franke and began playing a controlling role in the family. Some believe Hildebrandt manipulated Franke, but Shari argues her mother was already abusive before their association.
Perhaps the most haunting aspect of the docuseries is the unseen footage from 8 Passengers . The outtakes show Franke scolding her children for minor mistakes, pressuring them to perform for sponsorships, and using the camera as a tool to maintain control. Ironically, some of her children recall that the only time Franke showed them kindness was when the camera was rolling.
This chilling exposé forces viewers to reconsider the dark side of family vlogging and influencer culture. What happens when parenting turns into performance? And how many more cases like Franke’s remain hidden behind perfectly curated social media posts?
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