8 Passengers: Ruby Franke Has Now Become a Chilling Tale of Abuse, Deception, and Downfall

Few stories have captivated and horrified audiences as much as that of 8 Passengers. What began as a wholesome YouTube channel showcasing the daily lives of Ruby Franke, her husband Kevin Franke, and their six children—Shari Franke, Chad Franke, Abby, Julie, Russell, and Eve—has transformed into a chilling tale of abuse, deception, and downfall.

Hulu’s latest docuseries, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke, available to stream now, dives deep into this unsettling narrative, peeling back the layers of a once-idyllic Mormon family that hid dark secrets behind their camera lens. If you’re wondering where to watch the Ruby Franke documentary, look no further than Hulu, with all episodes accessible as of February 27, 2025.

The Rise and Fall of “8 Passengers”

Launched in 2015, 8 Passengers quickly amassed a following, peaking at nearly 2.5 million subscribers. Ruby Franke, the driving force behind the channel, portrayed herself as a strict yet loving mother, offering parenting tips rooted in her Mormon faith.

Alongside her husband Kevin Franke and their children, including Shari Franke and Chad Franke, the family documented everything from mundane routines to milestone moments. However, beneath the polished façade, cracks began to emerge—cracks that would eventually lead to the 8 Passengers documentary we now see on Hulu.

The turning point came with the involvement of Jodi Hildebrandt, a counselor introduced to the Frankes to help with family struggles, particularly with Chad Franke. What started as guidance spiraled into a nightmare, with Hildebrandt’s extreme influence over Ruby leading to abusive practices that shocked the world.

The Ruby Franke documentary reveals how this relationship fueled a descent into what prosecutors later described as “concentration camp-like” conditions for some of the Ruby Franke kids.

“Devil in the Family”

For those eager to explore this saga, the 8 Passengers documentary Hulu offers is a three-part series titled Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. Directed by Olly Lambert and produced by Passion Pictures, it premiered on February 27, 2025, and is available exclusively on Hulu.

Curious about 8 Passengers documentary Hulu episodes? All three are currently streaming, providing over 1000 hours of unseen footage from the family’s YouTube archives, alongside exclusive interviews with Kevin Franke, Shari Franke, and Chad Franke—their first in-depth on-camera accounts of the ordeal.

The Devil in the Family series isn’t just a recounting of events; it’s a raw exploration of manipulation, faith, and the perils of online fame. It details Ruby’s arrest in August 2023, alongside Jodi Hildebrandt, after one of Ruby’s malnourished sons escaped Hildebrandt’s home, begging a neighbor for help.

Both women pleaded guilty to multiple counts of aggravated child abuse, resulting in prison sentences of up to 30 years each. For viewers wondering if the Ruby Franke documentary Disney Plus is an option, it’s worth noting that while Hulu is part of the Disney ecosystem, the series is exclusively on Hulu, not directly on Devil in the Family Disney Plus.

The Voices of the Franke Family

The 8 Passengers documentary stands out for its personal testimonies. Shari Franke, now 21, and Chad Franke, 20, share haunting recollections of their upbringing.

Shari, who recently published her memoir The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom, describes their home as “more like a set than a house,” while Chad recounts being forced to sleep on a beanbag for seven months as punishment.

Kevin Franke, Ruby’s estranged husband who filed for divorce in late 2023, insists he was unaware of the extent of the abuse, claiming he too was manipulated by Ruby and Hildebrandt.

These accounts paint a complex picture of a family unraveling under the weight of Ruby’s obsession with perfection and Hildebrandt’s toxic influence. The Ruby Franke kids, particularly the younger ones who endured the worst of the abuse, remain a focal point of concern, with four placed in protective custody following the arrests.

Where to Watch and Why It Matters

If you’re asking where to watch the Ruby Franke documentary, Hulu is your destination. The platform’s robust lineup of true-crime content, including titles like Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told and The Perfect Wife, makes it the perfect home for Devil in the Family. For those with a Hulu and Disney+ bundle, you can also access it via Hulu on Disney+, though it’s not standalone on Ruby Franke documentary Disney Plus.

This 8 Passengers documentary Hulu offering isn’t just another crime story—it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of “momfluencer” culture, religious extremism, and the blurred lines between public persona and private reality. It challenges viewers to rethink the curated lives they see online and consider the unseen struggles behind the screen.

A Unique Lens on a Modern Tragedy

What sets Devil in the Family apart from other documentaries is its unflinching honesty and access to the Franke family’s inner circle. Friends, neighbors, and previously unreleased footage provide a high-quality, multi-dimensional view of Ruby’s transformation from a beloved vlogger to a convicted abuser.

The series doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable—Ruby screaming at her children, Hildebrandt’s eerie sway over the family, and the devastating impact on the Ruby Franke kids.

For anyone intrigued by true crime, family dynamics, or the dark side of social media, this 8 Passengers documentary is a must-watch.

Available now on Hulu, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is more than a recounting of events—it’s a stark reminder that even the most picture-perfect families can harbor unimaginable secrets. Stream it today and uncover the truth behind one of YouTube’s most infamous collapses.