Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (2025 Docuseries)

Story: 8 of 10 Stars

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke is a gripping three-part docuseries that takes viewers deep into the rise and fall of Ruby Franke, a once-popular YouTuber and family vlogger behind the now-deleted "8 Passengers" channel. Streaming exclusively on Hulu, this series explores the dark underbelly of Franke's seemingly perfect family life, unraveling the shocking child abuse that led to her arrest in 2023.

At the heart of the documentary is the contrast between Franke's online persona-a picture-perfect mother of six-and the horrific reality behind the scenes. The series offers insight from Franke's estranged husband, Kevin, and their two eldest children, Shari and Chad, who provide firsthand accounts of the family's dysfunction and the emotional and physical toll it took on them.

The docuseries excels in showing how Franke's quest for perfection, fueled by her partnership with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, contributed to practices that were not only harsh but abusive. Unseen footage from the "8 Passengers" channel gives a chilling glimpse into the family's daily routine, all while revealing the stark difference between what was shared online and what was happening behind closed doors.

While the story is undeniably tragic and deeply disturbing, the docuseries does an excellent job of handling sensitive topics with care. It's a well-paced investigation into the consequences of the vlogging world's obsession with crafting an idealized image at any cost.

With its detailed storytelling, impactful interviews, and never-before-seen footage, Devil in the Family is a compelling watch, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart. The series sheds light on the dangers of online fame and the heartbreaking outcomes that can result from living a life in front of the camera.

For those interested in true crime, family dynamics, or simply the dark side of social media fame, this docuseries is a must-see. Despite its emotional weight, it's a captivating exploration that deserves its 8/10 stars.

I'm Rae Serbeck, I Watch and Review all shows Large and Small!