‘The Perfect Neighbor,’ directed and produced by Geeta Gandbhir, was the big winner at the 10th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, held in New York City. The Netflix film won five major categories, including Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Archival Documentary, and Best True Crime Documentary.
The American documentary explores the 2023 killing of Ajike AJ Shantrell Owens in Ocala, Florida, where Susan Louise Lorincz fatally shot her neighbor during a heated dispute. Told chronologically with minimal narration, the film relies on pre-existing police and bodycam footage to trace the escalating tensions that led to the shooting, the incident itself, and the aftermath that followed. It also examines the systemic biases surrounding Florida’s stand-your-ground laws and how they were applied in Lorincz’s case, culminating in her conviction for manslaughter and other charges.
From Sundance Winner to Streaming Sensation: How ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Became Netflix’s Latest Hit
The Perfect Neighbor had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, where Gandbhir received the Directing Award. It went on to screen at South by Southwest in March before being acquired by Netflix for $5 million. The documentary had a limited theatrical release on October 10 and began streaming globally on October 17. Within days, it became Netflix’s most-watched movie in the United States. Soledad O’Brien served as an executive producer on the project.
The film’s creation was deeply personal for Gandbhir, as Owens was the best friend of her sister-in-law. Concerned that Lorincz might use the stand-your-ground defense, Gandbhir’s partner and fellow producer, Nikon Kwantu, traveled to Florida to begin documenting the case. Together, they shaped the project into a powerful exploration of race, justice, and accountability in modern America.
Critics have widely praised the film for its precision, restraint, and emotional impact. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 99% approval rating from 74 reviews, with an average score of 8.8/10. The site’s consensus calls it “as gripping as it is deeply unsettling,” commending its sharp focus on systemic failures within the justice system. Metacritic gives the film a score of 84 out of 100, signaling “universal acclaim.”
Harrowing Yet Necessary Viewing
Critic Jourdain Searles described the film as “so unassuming that even the most casual viewer can guess how harrowing the story will be,” noting that while the film is good, actual progress will come only through systemic change. Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times wrote that The Perfect Neighbor functions “as a documentary horror film built with police footage,” revealing how “unchecked grievance and a law that weaponizes fear” can turn ordinary neighborhoods into spaces of tragedy.
Hosted by Aasif Mandvi, the Critics Choice Documentary Awards also celebrated Mr. Scorsese, Ocean With David Attenborough, and Orwell: 2+2=5, each taking home multiple honors. Ken Burns received the Critics Choice Impact Award from Christine Baranski, while Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady accepted the Pennebaker Award, presented by Chris Hegedus.
Christopher Campbell, vice president of documentary at the Critics Choice Association, remarked that “ten years in, the art of documentary storytelling has never been more vital or vibrant,” praising filmmakers like Gandbhir for their courage and creativity in shaping how we understand real-world events.
