In recent years, Netflix managed to establish itself as the most popular streaming platform in the world. Its catalogue, in addition to having successful films and award-winning series, is a privileged space for documentaries.
Titles like “The Tinder Scammer” showed that real stories They generate an immediate connection with the public. Now, “The perfect neighbor”directed by Geeta Gandbhiris added to that list and is already within the Top 10 most viewed in the app.
The production, which had its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, once again puts into debate one of the most sensitive topics in the United States: the racism and the daily violence that can arise in the most unexpected places, even between neighbors.
Through archival material, police cameras and testimonies, he reconstructs the murder of Ajike “AJ” Owensan African-American woman from Florida who was shot in a conflict that began as a simple neighborhood fight. Find out!
Trailer for “The Perfect Neighbor”
What is “The Perfect Neighbor” about?
This documentary reconstructs, step by step, a crime that shocked the United States. The story revolves around the murder of Ajike Owensa mother of four children who lived in the community of Ocala, Floridaand that she was murdered by her white neighbor, Susan LorinczJune 2, 2023.
The production uses powerful and raw storytelling, and the majority of the film is made up of real recordings of police body cameras, calls to the 911home videos and family stories.
Unlike other titles, it does not focus solely on what happened, but on the social context that made it possible. Thus, it shows how an apparently calm community was overwhelmed by racial tensions and prejudices that have been going on for a long time.
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The case begins with a minor conflict: Owens’ children used to play near Lorincz’s house, which led to constant complaints on the part of the woman, who even called the police due to noise or supposed disturbances. As the weeks passed, those disputes became more frequent and hostileuntil reaching a fateful night in which an argument led to the shooting that ended Ajike’s life.
What happened to Susan Lorincz?
After the murder, the case of Susan Lorincz It sparked great controversy throughout the country. The authorities took several days to arrest her, while they analyzed whether her actions could be covered by the controversy. Florida self defense lawknown in English as “Stand Your Ground”.
This regulation allows a person to use force, even lethal, if they consider that their life is in danger, without the obligation to retreat or avoid the confrontation.
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However, research showed that Ajike Owens was unarmedthat the door was locked and that there was no immediate threat. The shooting, the justice concluded, was more of a act of anger how scary
Thus, in June 2023, Lorincz was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter with firearmculpable negligence and assault. A year later, in 2024, they declared it guilty and must serve a sentence of 25 years in prison.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
