Netflix viewers across the US are asking: “Is The Perfect Neighbor Documentry a true story?” The answer—revealed in Netflix’s gripping new documentary—is both shocking and deeply tragic. The perfect neighbor documentary Netflix tells the real-life events behind the killing of Ajike “AJ” Owens, sparking outrage and urgent conversations about justice, prejudice, and neighborhood dynamics.
The Real Story Behind The Perfect Neighbor Documentary Netflix
When Netflix launched The Perfect Neighbor documentary on October 17, 2025, many anticipated an intense true-crime thriller about suburban disputes. What viewers quickly realized is the film chronicles a raw, unfiltered, and devastating true story—one that exposes the fatal encounter between Susan Lorincz and her neighbor, AJ Owens, in Ocala, Florida.
Years of Neighborhood Tension
The documentary explores years of escalating conflict. For at least two years prior, Susan Lorincz, a middle-aged white woman, repeatedly called law enforcement on Owens’ Black children for playing in a shared lot. Police bodycam footage and neighbor testimony—shown in The Perfect Neighbor Netflix—reveal Lorincz’s pattern of aggression, including frequent yelling and even filming the kids on her phone.
Official records highlighted by Netflix confirm that this feud was laced with racism. The documentary details instances of Lorincz using racial slurs, including the n-word, further intensifying the emotional toll on the Owens family.
Pamela Dias (mother of Ajike Owens) explains what it was like having a screening of THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR for members of the community who were affected by this senseless murder. #NYFF63 pic.twitter.com/oKkYcXA9WD
— New York Film Festival (@TheNYFF) October 9, 2025
June 2, 2023: The Fatal Knock
The perfect neighbor documentary Netflix explains that the tragedy of AJ Owens unfolded when her 10-year-old son attempted to retrieve his tablet from outside Lorincz’s door. Lorincz allegedly threw skates at the child, struck his foot, then swung an umbrella at another. Upon hearing this, Owens walked over to Lorincz’s home and knocked on the door, demanding a conversation.
Inside, Lorincz was already on a 911 call, claiming she felt threatened. But as Owens stood outside with her young son, Lorincz fired a single bullet through the closed door. Owens, a mother of four, was killed instantly—her son witnessing the event.
Stand Your Ground Law and National Attention
The shooting was quickly thrust into the national spotlight. With Florida’s “stand your ground” law under scrutiny, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump demanded accountability. Though Lorincz claimed self-defense, investigators concluded Owens posed no immediate threat.
Four days later, Susan Lorincz was arrested. In August 2024, she was found guilty of manslaughter by an all-white jury and sentenced in November to 25 years in prison. The judge cited the “indiscriminate nature” of her actions and the lasting trauma inflicted on Owens’s children.
Inside Netflix’s Storytelling: Bodycam and Raw Footage
What sets The Perfect Neighbor documentary Netflix apart is its exclusive use of police bodycam footage, 911 calls, and emotional interviews. Instead of reenactments, viewers see the case unfold in real time—experiencing the confusion, heartbreak, and community response firsthand. Director Geeta Gandbhir weaves together two years of law enforcement recordings to create a harrowing account of unchecked bias and missed intervention opportunities.
A Mother’s Legacy and America’s Reckoning
The perfect neighbor documentary highlights AJ Owens’s vibrant life as a devoted mother and friend. Through interviews with her family, viewers understand the ongoing grief and guilt affecting her children—especially her young son, who witnessed the shooting. Owens’s mother, Pamela Dias, shares their heartbreak and their call for change.
How The Perfect Neighbor Documentary Sparked a National Conversation
Since its Netflix release, The Perfect Neighbor documentary has become one of the most searched and discussed true-crime films in the USA. Social media is filled with reactions from viewers who are moved by the documentary’s honest depiction of tragedy, prejudice, and loss. The film reignites debate about “stand your ground” laws and asks tough questions about how law enforcement, neighbors, and communities respond to conflict.
Quick Reference Table
| Event | Details |
| Film Title | The Perfect Neighbor |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Key Figures | AJ Owens, Susan Lorincz |
| Location | Ocala, Florida |
| Date of Shooting | June 2, 2023 |
| Verdict and Sentence | Manslaughter, 25 years |
| Focused Keyword | the perfect neighbor documentary netflix |
FAQs
Is The Perfect Neighbor documentary Netflix based on real events?
Yes, it follows the true story of AJ Owens’s killing and the subsequent trial of Susan Lorincz.
What is the Perfect Neighbor documentary Netflix mainly about?
It focuses on race, prejudice, community tension, and the limits of self-defense laws told through actual bodycam and 911 footage.
Who was AJ Owens?
Ajike “AJ” Owens was a Black mother of four whose death is central to the Netflix documentary. Her legacy shapes the film’s emotional core.
Does the documentary show violence?
It does not feature graphic footage of the shooting but reconstructs events through police recordings and real-time interviews.
Why is this film trending on Google in the US?
The documentary addresses urgent topics like gun violence, systemic racism, and legal loopholes—making it highly relevant for US viewers.
Final Thoughts
Is The Perfect Neighbor a True Story? Absolutely. With powerful storytelling and real-life footage, Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor documentary delivers a compelling and heartbreaking portrait of a family, a neighborhood, and a nation asking for change.