The Perfect Neighbor (2025)
A gripping true-crime documentary that uses police bodycam footage to unravel a fatal Florida neighborhood dispute and the laws that shaped its outcome.
The Perfect Neighbor - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Perfect Neighbor
- Release Year: 2025
- Directed by: Geeta Gandbhir
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Documentary
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 37m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Park Pictures Features, Message Pictures, SO'B Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: A Vizinha Perfeita (BR), The Perfect Neighbor - Ein Gesetz und seine Folgen (DE), השכנה המושלמת (IL), 完美鄰居：美國社區槍擊悲劇 (TW), 完美鄰居：鄰里衝突悲劇實錄 (HK), パーフェクト・ネイバー 正当防衛法は どこへ向かうのか (JP), La Voisine idéale (FR), The Perfect Neighbor (AU)
The Perfect Neighbor - Plot
Police bodycam footage reveals how a long-running neighborhood dispute turned fatal in this documentary about fear, prejudice and Stand Your Ground laws.
The Perfect Neighbor - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see how this chilling true story unfolds on screen.
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The Perfect Neighbor - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Geeta Gandbhir
Main Cast
- Susan Lorincz
- Ajike Owens
- Pamela Dias
Producers
- Sam Bisbee
- Alisa Payne
- Geeta Gandbhir
- Nikon Kwantu
The Perfect Neighbor - FAQs
Is The Perfect Neighbor based on a true story?
Yes, absolutely. The documentary centers on the real-life 2023 shooting of Ajike Owens in Marion County, Florida. Her neighbor Susan Lorincz fatally shot her through a closed door following a prolonged neighborhood dispute. The film uses actual police bodycam footage and news recordings to reconstruct the events.
What is The Perfect Neighbor about?
The Perfect Neighbor examines a deadly neighborhood conflict in Florida that ended with the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens by her neighbor Susan Lorincz. Through police bodycam footage and archival material, director Geeta Gandbhir explores how fear, racial prejudice, and Stand Your Ground laws shaped the tragedy.
What happened with the Stand Your Ground defense in this case?
Susan Lorincz initially attempted to invoke Florida's Stand Your Ground law as a defense after shooting Ajike Owens through a closed door. The judge ultimately rejected the Stand Your Ground claim, and Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter with a firearm, making this case a significant legal flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over the law.
Where can I stream The Perfect Neighbor?
You can stream The Perfect Neighbor on Netflix, including through the Netflix Standard with Ads plan. It's a Netflix original documentary, so it's available exclusively on the platform in supported regions.
Who directed The Perfect Neighbor documentary?
The Perfect Neighbor was directed by Geeta Gandbhir, an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker known for her socially conscious work. She also served as a producer on the film alongside Sam Bisbee, Alisa Payne, and Nikon Kwantu.
What is the age rating for The Perfect Neighbor?
The Perfect Neighbor is rated R. Given its subject matter — a fatal shooting, racial tension, and disturbing bodycam footage — the rating reflects content that may be intense or distressing for some viewers. It is intended for mature audiences.
Does The Perfect Neighbor explore racial bias and prejudice?
Race is central to the film's analysis. Ajike Owens was a Black woman, and Susan Lorincz is white. Director Geeta Gandbhir examines how racial fear and prejudice escalated an ordinary neighbor dispute into a fatal confrontation, and how those same biases intersect with the application of Stand Your Ground laws in Florida.
How long is The Perfect Neighbor?
The Perfect Neighbor runs for 97 minutes, or about 1 hour and 37 minutes. It's a focused, single-sitting documentary that builds its case methodically through archival footage, bodycam recordings, and contextual reporting on the events surrounding the shooting.
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