[[Category:American collage films]]
[[Category:American collage films]]
[[Category:Films set in 2023]]
[[Category:Films set in 2023]]
[[Category:Films set in the 2020s]]
2025 American documentary film
| The Perfect Neighbor | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster |
|
| Directed by | Geeta Gandbhir |
| Produced by |
|
| Cinematography | Alfredo De Lara |
| Edited by | Viridiana Lieberman |
| Music by | Laura Heinzinger |
|
Production |
|
| Distributed by | Netflix |
|
Release dates |
|
|
Running time |
97 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Perfect Neighbor is a 2025 American documentary film, directed and produced by Geeta Gandbhir. It follows the killing of Ajike Owens, told through bodycam footage, exploring disputes that led to the murder.
It had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2025, [2][3] and had a limited release on October 10, 2025, prior to streaming on Netflix on October 17, 2025. It received widespread praise for its production, direction, and editing.
Premise
On June 2, 2023 in Ocala, Florida, Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens was shot and killed by Susan Lorincz. The film explores disputes leading up to the shooting by using bodycam footage of disputes.[4]
Production
The victim, Ajike Owens, was the best friend of director Geeta Gandbhir‘s sister-in-law. Concerned that Susan Lorincz would use the stand-your-ground law, Gandbhir’s partner and fellow producer Nikon Kwantu went to Florida and began documenting and filming the case.[5][6]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2025.[2][3] It also screened at South by Southwest on March 9, 2025.[7][8] In February 2025, Netflix was reportedly in final negotiations to acquire the film for $5 million.[9][10] The deal was finalized in March 2025, with Netflix planning to release the documentary later that year.[11] Soledad O’Brien served as an executive producer.
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 52 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.8/10.[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.[13]
Writing for RogerEbert.com, critic Jourdain Searles gave the film three out of four stars and wrote that the title is “so unassuming that even the most casual viewer can guess how harrowing the film they’re about to see will be” and goes on to say that the film is “good” but that change would be “better.”[14] Robert Abele of Los Angeles Times wrote that “while The Perfect Neighbor is, on the most visceral level, a documentary horror film built with police footage, it also reveals how a violent tragedy can be unwittingly manifested by unchecked grievance and a law that weaponizes white fear more than it guards anyone’s peace.”[15]
Accolades
References
- ^ “The Perfect Neighbor (15)”. British Board of Film Classification. September 30, 2025. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b D’Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2024). “Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings”. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ a b “The Perfect Neighbor”. Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on January 15, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Gorber, Jason (2025-02-01). “The Perfect Neighbor Review: A Microcosm of a Violent America”. POV Magazine. Archived from the original on February 2, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (January 25, 2025). “Soledad O’Brien on Exposing the ‘Chaos’ of Stand-Your-Ground Laws With Sundance Doc ‘The Perfect Neighbor’: ‘These Make It Easier to Kill People. Period’“. Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ ““Something Dangerous is Always Lurking Just Beneath the Surface” Geeta Gandbhir, The Perfect Neighbor”. Filmmaker. January 24, 2025. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ “The Perfect Neighbor”. South by Southwest. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Hailu, Selome; B. Vary, Adam (January 25, 2025). “SXSW 2025 Lineup: Seth Rogen’s ‘The Studio,’ Jenna Ortega Comedy ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ Nicole Kidman Thriller ‘Holland’ Among World Premieres”. Variety. Archived from the original on January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (6 February 2025). “Netflix Nearing $5 Million Deal for ‘Perfect Neighbor,’ Sundance Documentary About Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law”. Variety. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr; D’Alessandro, Anthony (6 February 2025). “Netflix In Talks For Sundance Documentary ‘The Perfect Neighbor’“. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ Carey, Matthew (10 March 2025). “Netflix Finalizes Acquisition Of Sundance Prize Winner ‘The Perfect Neighbor’; Plans 2025 Release”. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 10, 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ “The Perfect Neighbor“. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ “The Perfect Neighbor“. Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
- ^ “The Perfect Neighbor movie review (2025) | Roger Ebert”. RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
- ^ “Review: In ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ doc, a crime brews for months with the potency of a horror movie”. Los Angeles Times. 2025-10-10. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ D’Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2025). “‘Atropia’ Takes U.S. Grand Jury Prize Dramatic At Sundance Film Festival: Full Winners List”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
- ^ Andersen, Bjørn (2025-03-28). “CPH:DOX 2025 announces award winners”. CPH:DOX. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (October 14, 2025). “‘Orwell: 2+2=5’ and ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Lead Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominations”. Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
