The Perfect Neighbor

The Perfect Neighbor
The Perfect Neighbor
	Teaser poster
Directed by	Geeta Gandbhir
Produced by	Alisa Payne; Geeta Gandbhir; Nikon Kwantu; Sam Bisbee;
Cinematography	Alfredo De Lara
Edited by	Viridiana Lieberman
Music by	Laura Heinzinger
Production; companies	Message Pictures; Park Pictures; SO'B Productions;
Distributed by	Netflix
Release dates	January 24, 2025 (Sundance); October 10, 2025;
Running time	97 minutes
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. Soledad O'Brien serves as an executive producer.

It had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2025.^[2]^[3] It is scheduled to be released in a limited release on October 10, 2025, prior to streaming on Netflix on October 17, 2025.

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

Ajike Owens was the best friend of director Geeta Gandbhir's sister-in-law. Concerned Susan Lorincz would use the stand-your-ground law, Gandbhir's partner and fellow producer Nikon Kwantu went to Florida and began filming.^[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]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 32 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 87 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".^[13]

References

^ "The Perfect Neighbor (15)". British Board of Film Classification. September 30, 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. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "The Perfect Neighbor". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
^ The Perfect Neighbor Review: A Microcosm of a Violent America – POV Magazine
^ 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. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
^ ""Something Dangerous is Always Lurking Just Beneath the Surface" Geeta Gandbhir, The Perfect Neighbor". Filmmaker. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
^ "The Perfect Neighbor". South by Southwest. 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. 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. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
^ Fleming, Mike Jr; D'Alessandro, Anthony (6 February 2025). "Netflix In Talks For Sundance Documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor'". Retrieved 7 February 2025.
^ Carey, Matthew (10 March 2025). "Netflix Finalizes Acquisition Of Sundance Prize Winner 'The Perfect Neighbor'; Plans 2025 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
^ "The Perfect Neighbor". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
^ "The Perfect Neighbor". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2025.

External links

The Perfect Neighbor at IMDb

[1] "The Perfect Neighbor (15)". British Board of Film Classification. September 30, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.

[:0-2] 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. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[:1-3] "The Perfect Neighbor". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[4] The Perfect Neighbor Review: A Microcosm of a Violent America – POV Magazine

[5] 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. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[6] ""Something Dangerous is Always Lurking Just Beneath the Surface" Geeta Gandbhir, The Perfect Neighbor". Filmmaker. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[7] "The Perfect Neighbor". South by Southwest. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[8] 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. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

[9] 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. Retrieved 7 February 2025.

[10] Fleming, Mike Jr; D'Alessandro, Anthony (6 February 2025). "Netflix In Talks For Sundance Documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor'". Retrieved 7 February 2025.

[11] Carey, Matthew (10 March 2025). "Netflix Finalizes Acquisition Of Sundance Prize Winner 'The Perfect Neighbor'; Plans 2025 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 March 2025.

[Rotten_Tomatoes-12] "The Perfect Neighbor". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 8, 2025.

[Metacritic-13] "The Perfect Neighbor". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2025.

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