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Netflix’s harrowing new documentary The Perfect Neighbor has left viewers in floods of tears.
The film was released on Netflix on October 17 and has been met with huge praise and a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from reviewers who have labelled the film the ‘documentary of the year.’
The story explores a minor suburban dispute in Florida between neighbours which resulted in the death of a 35-year-old mother.
The story is told through police bodycam footage, investigative interviews, and exposes the consequences of Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ laws.’
Viewers online have been left beside themselves, with many sharing that they were left crying after the emotional watch.
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‘Bawled my eyes out #ThePerfectNeighbor,’ said ericfloyd_ on X.
‘Watching the Perfect Neighbor on Netflix crying my eyes out 😭,’ said ForeverAKay_.
‘When the police asked “Are you hurt” and he said “No, but my heart is BROKEN”. I started WEEPING. Omg. #ThePerfectNeighbor,’ said ZeusTheeGawd.
Nadiareviews commented: ‘THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR is blood boiling and heartbreaking. This is the documentary of the year.’
‘They weren’t kidding back at Sundance with all of the praise for this documentary. The Perfect Neighbor is wild, infuriating, heartbreaking and more. Watch it. It’s a tough one, but important,’ said Jessfrica.
What is the true story behind The Perfect Neighbour?
The film explores the killing of Ajike Owens, which took place in Florida.
On June 2, 2023, in Ocala, Florida, mother of four, Ajike AJ Shantrell Owens, was shot and killed by her neighbour Susan Lorincz, 58.
Owens was shot while at Lorincz’s frontdoor after an altercation between her children and Lorincz in a grassy field nearby.
Lorincz fired a single shot through the door, striking Owens in the chest.
Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison that November.
The film was launched at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025, where Geeta Gandbhir won the Directing Award for her work on the project. Since it’s debut, critics have been lauding the film as one of the most important watches of the year.
Jonathan Wilson said for Ready Steady Cut: ‘The Perfect Neighbor is an engaging and quite uniquely constructed true-crime documentary that, at about the midpoint, morphs into one of the most harrowing films I’ve ever seen.’
‘Powerful, emotionally draining, and one of the best and most important films of the year. The Perfect Neighbor finds its rhythm in the truth, and once it has you,it’ll stick with you forever,’ said John Stark for Mac the Movie Guy.
Jessica Winter said for The New York Writer: ‘I haven’t felt such visceral and intensely gendered loathing for a documentary termagant since “Dear Zachary.”’
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