Ah, the allure of the perfect online persona. This Saturday evening, Lifetime tackles the downfall of Ruby Franke, the matriarch of the “8 Passengers” vlog, whose seemingly idyllic family life took a dark turn.
Franke (Emilie Ullerup), known for her LDS-influenced parenting style, once projected an image of domestic bliss: six adorable kids, a loving husband, and a carefully curated online presence. But as we’ve learned from countless cautionary tales, social media rarely reflects reality. Enter Jodi Hildebrandt (Heather Locklear), a marriage counselor whose involvement with the Franke family appears to have been less therapeutic and more…toxic.
Hildebrandt’s arrival apparently coincided with the husband’s departure, suggesting a level of domestic upheaval not captured by the vlogging camera. The film explores how Franke and Hildebrandt’s disciplinary methods crossed the line from “strict” to abusive, culminating in the escape of Franke’s 12-year-old son from what’s being described as a “real-life house of horrors.”
I’m expecting a deep dive into the psychology of online personas, the dangers of unchecked authority figures, and the devastating consequences of prioritizing image over well-being. It’s a story that is tailor-made for Lifetime’s particular brand of ripped-from-the-headlines drama.
Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story airs Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. on Lifetime.
Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story, Lifetime, US TV, TV Movie, Cable
