In her latest documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, Emmy Award-winning director Geeta Gandbhir lays bare the grim truths of “stand your ground” laws through the tragic shooting of Ajike “AJ” Owens. In 2023, Owens, a Black mother of four from Ocala, Florida, was fatally shot following a heated argument with her white neighbor, Susan Lorincz. Much of the backstory behind the chilling incident has been left uncovered until now.
Premiering on Netflix on Oct. 17 and in select theaters on Oct. 10, The Perfect Neighbor is entirely composed of police bodycam footage connected to the incident. Gandbhir’s powerful documentary chronicles the series of events that escalated Lorincz’s behavior into a deadly act of violence. The trailer, released Sept.23, provides a small glimpse into numerous prior incidents where Lorincz accused Owens’ children—and other neighborhood kids—of being disruptive, “screaming,” “yelling,” and “trespassing.” Several other community members step forward to share their experiences with Lorincz, with one stating bluntly, “She’s always messing with people’s kids.” Notably, the documentary includes chilling footage from the night of Owens’ death, showing an emergency team arriving to retrieve her after the deadly shooting.
In a press release, Gandbhir reflected on telling Owens’ painful story through her powerful lens, calling it “a deeply personal project, created to transform grief into purpose and honor the lasting legacy of Ajike Owens and her family.” She added, “My team at Message Pictures, along with our incredible partners at SO’B Productions and Park Pictures, are thrilled the film will be available on Netflix, offering audiences worldwide the chance to experience this urgent and powerful story.”…