Overview
- Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, released December 30, has reached No. 1 on Netflix films with 15 million views, according to new rankings reported by Deadline.
- The feature, directed by Skye Borgman, examines Hildebrandt’s ties to parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke, the ConneXions coaching network, and the Utah church community, while noting Kevin Franke’s role and custody of the six children.
- Hildebrandt was convicted on four counts of aggravated child abuse and in February 2024 received four consecutive terms of one to 15 years, serving time at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
- Borgman says Hildebrandt has sought to mentor vulnerable inmates in prison, a claim presented in the film and interviews and attributed to the director’s reporting.
- Viewers describe the film as difficult but important, highlighting a throughline interview with a detective and first-person accounts from former clients.