Analyzing the Troubling Realities of Ruby Franke’s Parenting Empire

“Devil in the Family” Reveals Ruby Franke’s Dark Parenting Reign

A new documentary series on Hulu called “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke” delves deep into the shocking horrors of Ruby Franke’s online empire and the disturbing events that led to her arrest for child abuse.

Strapped for cash and hungry for attention, Ruby’s journey from an innocent YouTuber to a convicted abuser unfolds across three gripping episodes. What sets this documentary apart is its reliance on the voices of those closest to Ruby: her children and estranged husband, Kevin.

Piecing together details from her earliest YouTube videos — which earned a paltry $32 — to her rise as a mommy vlogging sensation with a family of eight, the documentary unfolds a chilling tale of unchecked power and descent into darkness.

As Ruby’s fame grew, so did her kids’ discomfort. Her harsh discipline methods drew public scrutiny and led to a scandal that exposed her questionable parenting in a new light. Her subsequent partnership with a “mental health coach” disguised as a cult leader only intensified the horrors within her home.

The series recounts the tragic consequences of this twisted relationship, climaxing in the discovery of Ruby and her partner’s inhumane treatment of her younger kids. The children were found starving, chained, and covered in sores, revealing the nightmarish reality behind closed doors.

The documentary doesn’t shy away from the tough questions: How did Kevin, Ruby’s husband, miss the signs of abuse? Was he complicit or a victim himself? His story, recounted honestly in the series, sheds light on the subtle manipulations that led him to a year-long estrangement from his family.

While it might be hard to comprehend Kevin’s actions, it serves as a stark reminder of how easily good intentions can be twisted under the spell of a toxic influence like Ruby. In the end, the true devil in this tale isn’t a supernatural force — it’s the all-too-human capacity for cruelty that lurks within us all.