'The Perfect Neighbor': The Netflix Film That Reveals the Tragic Murder Story of Ajike Owens

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The American documentary "The Perfect Neighbor" premiered on Netflix on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Directed and produced by Geeta Gandbhir, the film centers on the shocking murder case of Ajike Owens and deeply explores the long-running dispute between neighbors that ultimately led to tragedy.

Through various authentic footage, "The Perfect Neighbor" attempts to piece together the events that led to Owens' death.

Netflix acquired the film after its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, with $5 million deal closed in March 2025.

Here are things you must know about the documentary movie!

One woman. Dozens of 911 calls. And a neighborhood caught in a nightmare. Winner of the Sundance Film Festival’s Directing Award, The Perfect Neighbor premieres October 17. pic.twitter.com/voVo39E4f8

— Netflix (@netflix) September 23, 2025

The film 'The Perfect Neighbor' chronicles a deadly dispute between two neighbors in Ocala, Florida, that culminated in the shooting of Ajike "AJ" Owens by Susan Lorincz in June 2023.

The conflict had been ongoing for more than two years, with Lorincz, a white woman, frequently calling police to complain about Black children in the neighborhood playing near her home.

Marion County authorities responded to at least six calls related to this dispute, mostly concerning Owens' four children walking and playing near Lorincz's yard, beginning in January 2021.

According to an arrest warrant, another neighbor reported that Lorincz frequently yelled at the children and made false calls to authorities, even using racial slurs against Owens' children.

The fatal incident occurred when Owens confronted Lorincz after Lorincz allegedly threw a roller skate at one of her children.

During a heated argument, Lorincz shot Owens through the locked front door of his home with a .380-caliber pistol, killing her.

Lorincz was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison in November 2024.

'The Perfect Neighbor' is constructed almost entirely from police body camera footage, dispatch recordings, interrogation sessions, and news clips.

The film is not following the traditional narrative, expert interviews, or dramatic re-enactments.

Instead, 'The Perfect Neighbor' lets the original footage speak for itself, an artistic choice intended to provide an objective perspective and allow the audience to draw their own conclusions without intervention.

Geeta Gandbhir, the director behind "The Perfect Neighbor," has a personal connection to the case, as her brother-in-law is a close friend of Ajike Owens.

"The Perfect Neighbor" has received widespread acclaim for its meticulous production, direction, and editing.

Critics have praised the film for its immersive and devastating approach, making it a must-see for those interested in social justice and true crime issues.

Roger Ebert.com called the film "a compelling case that Susan was wrong and that the children and their mother deserved better," despite the strong sense of despair that pervades the entire case.

POV Magazine described it as "a nearly perfect film, constructed entirely from found material that still manages to maintain a sharp focus and a clear editorial and directorial intent."

Several reviews have highlighted how 'The Perfect Neighbor' serves as a mirror of America, highlighting the bias, laws, and institutional apathy that shaped the tragedy.