The new Netflix documentary “The Perfect Neighbor,” directed by Geeta Gandbhir, delves into the tragic 2023 killing of 35-year-old Ajike Owens, a Florida woman fatally shot by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz. This documentary unfolds against the backdrop of a surveillance-laden society, primarily using police body-cam footage, news images, and recordings from home security cameras to reconstruct the events leading up to Owens’s death. The racial dynamics are poignantly highlighted, as Owens was Black and Lorincz is white. Upon her arrest, deputies discovered evidence that Lorincz had researched Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which permits the use of deadly force when one feels threatened on their property.
The film offers a gripping narrative, beginning with the knowledge of Owens’s fate. Viewers witness the escalating tensions as Owens’s children play on property adjacent to Lorincz’s home, despite her repeated complaints to law enforcement. Body-cam footage captures the sheriff’s visits and offers differing accounts from neighbors and Lorincz herself, who positions herself as the aggrieved party facing unruly children. The situation escalates to a tragic confrontation that ends with Owens being shot.
“The Perfect Neighbor” serves as a critical examination of the potential dangers and manipulative implications of “stand your ground” laws, which can protect individuals with questionable self-defense motives. After Owens’s death, the documentary captures the anguish of protesters mourning her loss and questioning the contrasting treatment of Lorincz and Black individuals in similar situations by law enforcement. In interrogation footage, Lorincz’s remarks include racial slurs and claims of trauma from her past, raising questions about the truth of her defenses. Ultimately, Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The documentary’s reliance on a diverse range of footage provides a uniquely thorough retelling of the crime, avoiding the typical narrative recreations often seen in true crime media. Recent discussions in the genre emphasize ethical considerations regarding such footage being publicly accessible. While Gandbhir’s personal connection to Owens, through her sister-in-law, potentially adds depth to the narrative, some critics argue that it should have been transparently disclosed within the documentary.
Additionally, the availability of distressing real-life footage on a platform like Netflix raises ethical concerns about the societal implications of constantly being surveilled. Audiences can easily consume these stories at home, potentially diminishing the gravity associated with serious crimes, and blurring the lines between awareness and voyeurism.
Despite these ethical considerations, “The Perfect Neighbor” is an important work that invites the public to engage in vital conversations about systemic issues within the justice system and the societal implications of living in an omnipresent surveillance culture. Thought-provoking and timely, the documentary deserves attention and analysis for its exploration of race, self-defense laws, and the impacts of public perception in the age of streaming.