Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Uses Real-Life Footage To Examine a Horrific Crime

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The 1991 beating of Rodney King, captured on video by a bystander, was a turning point. It provided clear, unedited footage of a crime in progress. While crimes had been filmed before, this video definitively showed the brutality of the officers involved and their intent. A similar situation occurred with the murder of Ajike Owens, whose case is featured in Netflix’s new true crime documentary, The Perfect Neighbor.

Since its release on Netflix, The Perfect Neighbor has quickly become a hit, racking up over 16 million views. It’s one of the platform’s strongest documentary debuts and has the potential to be among their most popular true crime offerings. What makes this documentary so compelling is its reliance on actual footage from the case – a storytelling choice that would have been less effective using other methods.

It’s understandable to have strong reactions when watching a crime with racial undertones, but The Perfect Neighbor is also a remarkably well-directed documentary. Director Geeta Gandbhir created one of the year’s most important films by solely using evidence captured on police body cameras and home security systems. This footage reveals what may have led Susan Louise Lorincz to shoot her neighbor, the crime itself, and everything that happened afterward.

Gandbhir skillfully avoids sensationalism by not depicting the crime directly. Though brief, The Perfect Neighbor feels like a disturbing and drawn-out look at a broken society where violence is permitted and excused through the flaws of a ridiculous legal system.

What Is ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ About?

On June 2, 2023, 35-year-old Ajike Owens was fatally shot by her neighbor, Susan Louise Lorincz. Despite being rushed to the hospital by paramedics, Owens was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting. She leaves behind four children.

As a true crime buff, I’ve been following this case, and it’s sadly become clear this wasn’t an isolated incident. Apparently, the police had been called out to this Ocala neighborhood a lot since early 2021. It turned out a woman named Lorincz was usually the one calling, constantly reporting her neighbors. She’d claim the kids – Owens’ children and others on the street – were always trespassing on her property. For over two years, the police kept going back to deal with her complaints. But the neighbors said Lorincz would often use racial slurs and really blow things out of proportion when it came to what the children were doing.

It’s a truly disturbing case. Apparently, Lorincz claimed Owens threatened her, and without even opening her door, she shot through it, hitting Owens in the chest. The son was desperately trying to help his mother and begging someone to call for help. The whole thing is just… she never even opened the door to see what was happening.

Although people thought Lorincz would go to trial right away, the book The Perfect Neighbor shows she found a legal way to postpone it. The law, often called “stand your ground,” generally lets people use force, even deadly force, if they believe they’re in danger. Over a year after the incident, a jury convicted Lorincz of manslaughter and gave her a 25-year prison sentence.

A Violent Crime Is Exposed and Solved in the Digital Era


Netflix

The film is built entirely from real footage—police bodycam videos, recordings from home security cameras like Ring, and surveillance footage, especially the compelling police interrogations captured by journalists in court. It avoids interviews or re-enactments, relying solely on raw, unscripted material. While there are some voice-overs, they don’t significantly contribute to the story.

It’s challenging to create a compelling story when you can’t rely on dramatic effects or a traditional script. Gandbhir would likely have more insight, but despite these limitations, The Perfect Neighbor is a remarkably well-edited account of a terrible crime. While it’s disturbing to build suspense knowing the tragic result, the detailed evidence makes the outcome feel unavoidable.

Gandbhir understandably doesn’t shield Lorincz from the intense examination caused by the actual video footage. Ultimately, Lorincz is confronted with the truth, highlighted by the contradictions in her own statements. It’s noticeable that she repeatedly relies on the same legal technicality throughout the questioning.

One of the Most Jarring Documentaries in Netflix’s True Crime Offerings


Netflix

Netflix is a go-to choice for true-crime documentary fans, with a huge selection available. Although some of these documentaries feel similar in style and production, others are truly exceptional.

“The Perfect Neighbor” is a truly distinctive documentary. It’s both moving and upsetting, and its story stays with you long after you finish watching. The filmmakers skillfully use old video footage to make it feel very real, and they thoughtfully address the racial issues connected to the case in a concluding section. You can now watch “The Perfect Neighbor” on Netflix.

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2025-10-25 00:33