I just walked out of the theater and honestly, I need to sit with this one for a minute. My coffee's going to taste a little bitter tonight. The film left me with this heavy, unsettled feeling in my gut—not from cheap shock, but from the slow, chilling realization of how deep the manipulation went. I keep thinking about the kids, and how the veneer of 'help' can hide such profound cruelty. It's one of those documentaries that sticks to your ribs, and not in a good way. I'm still processing the sheer audacity of it all.
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What's Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story About?
This documentary dives into the disturbing case of Jodi Hildebrandt, a Utah therapist who, alongside parenting vlogger Ruby Franke, was arrested for horrific child abuse. It's not just a true crime recap; it tries to unravel the psychological mechanics of how Hildebrandt, positioned as an expert, allegedly built a system of control that ensnared an entire family. It frames the story through the lens of modern influence and the dangerous power of perceived authority.
What Works in Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story
- ✓ The archival footage selection was masterful, especially the early videos of Hildebrandt herself. Seeing her calm, persuasive demeanor firsthand made the later revelations hit so much harder.
- ✓ The pacing in the first two-thirds is excellent. It builds this dreadful tension piece by piece, like watching a car crash in slow motion.
- ✓ The focus on the manipulation tactics, rather than just the abuse, gave it a disturbing psychological depth that will make you side-eye any self-proclaimed guru.
- ✓ The interviews with former associates provided crucial context, painting a picture of a controlling environment that existed long before the public case exploded.
What Doesn't Work
- ✗ The final act felt a bit rushed, especially the legal aftermath. After such a detailed build-up, I wanted a more satisfying resolution on screen.
- ✗ It occasionally leaned a bit too heavily on ominous music to signal 'something bad is happening,' which felt unnecessary given the strength of the facts.
- ✗ I wish we'd heard even a sliver more from the Franke kids' perspective, though I completely understand and respect the ethical reasons for protecting them.
Standout Moments & Performances
There's a scene where they juxtapose one of Ruby Franke's cheerful, perfect-family YouTube clips with the stark, emotionless police bodycam footage from the arrest. The contrast was absolutely jarring. It visually shattered the facade in a way words never could. I also won't forget the moment a former client describes Hildebrandt's 'iceberg' metaphor for trauma—it sounded so insightful at first, but the documentary slowly reveals how it was twisted into a tool for blame and isolation. That chilled me to the bone.
Main Cast: Jodi Hildebrandt, Josi Franke
Direction, Music & Visuals
Director Skye Borgman knows her way around a true-crime doc. Her direction is clinical and restrained, which works in the film's favor—it lets the horrifying facts speak for themselves without sensationalism. The cinematography is clean and interview-focused, but the real star is the editing. The way it weaves together vlogs, police evidence, and talking heads creates a compelling and coherent narrative from a complex case. As for performances, you don't get 'performances' in the traditional sense, but Jodi Hildebrandt, through her own past media, delivers a terrifyingly convincing portrait of charismatic authority. You see exactly how people were drawn in.
Director: Skye Borgman
Genres: Documentary
Who Should Watch Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story?
True crime documentary fans who prefer psychological deep-dives over gore will find this fascinating. It's also a must-watch for anyone interested in the dark side of influencer culture, parenting advice ecosystems, or the psychology of coercion. If you watched 'The Vow' or 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey' and were gripped by the mechanics of control, this is your next watch.
Who Might Want to Skip?
If you're looking for a light watch or are particularly sensitive to stories about child abuse (even though it's not graphically depicted), steer clear. The psychological weight is heavy. Also, if you prefer docs with a clear, triumphant conclusion, the lingering unease here might frustrate you.
Final Verdict
This is a tough but important watch. It's a well-crafted, unsettling examination of a modern-day monster hiding in plain sight. While I wish the ending had more punch, the journey there is so compelling and horrifying that it's worth the ticket. I'd recommend it, but with the caveat that it'll likely ruin your mood for the evening. Would I watch it again? Probably not soon—once was enough to sear it into my memory—but I'll definitely be thinking about it and talking about it for a while.
