Sundance Hit “The Perfect Neighbor” too Premiere on Netflix, Reconstructing Deadly Florida Dispute
A new documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, meticulously reconstructs the events leading to the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens in Ocala, Florida, in June 2023, and its subsequent impact on the national debate surrounding ”stand your ground” laws. The film, directed by Alexandra Gandbhir, utilizes almost exclusively police body cam footage to reveal a long-simmering conflict between Owens and her neighbor, connie Lorincz, who repeatedly called law enforcement to complain about neighborhood children.
The case sparked outrage and a national conversation about racial bias and the application of Florida’s “stand your ground” legislation, wich removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. Lorincz was ultimately charged with manslaughter, and the documentary aims to shed light on how a dispute escalated to violence, fueled by what Gandbhir describes as a weaponization of race and privilege. The Perfect Neighbor will have a limited theatrical release on October 10th before streaming on Netflix October 17th.
Gandbhir stated that witnessing the events unfold was “heartbreaking,” adding that Lorincz “repeatedly invoking law enforcement as a tool - to justify a violent act.” The film portrays how Lorincz repeatedly contacted police regarding children playing in a vacant lot near her home,setting the stage for the fatal confrontation.
“What unfolded was not merely a tragic incident, but a chilling microcosm of a broader reality: a climate deliberately shaped by those in power, where policies rooted in manufactured fear are used to dehumanize, divide, and uphold systemic injustice,” gandbhir continued. “Creating this film became our way to honor Ajike Owens, seek justice for her loved ones, and shine a light on the devastating consequences of permissive gun laws and ‘Stand Your Ground’ statutes.”
The Perfect Neighbor premiered at Sundance earlier this year,earning critical acclaim and a place on Rolling Stone’s list of the ten best films from the festival. The film’s release comes as “stand your ground” laws continue to be debated across the country, with advocates raising concerns about thier potential to exacerbate racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
