The Perfect Neighbor (dir. Geeta Gandbhir)
By: Dave Hughes
Some of the strongest connections that people form come from those who live next door. Neighbors share more than a fenceline, some can become dependents, others more like family, sharing celebrations and cookouts. Neighbors also share in each other’s struggles and the small moments of daily life But sometimes, that closeness can take a darker turn as it is never really known what goes on behind closed doors. The Perfect Neighbor is the latest true crime documentary from Netflix, unfolding in rural, low-income Florida and focusing on the tragic story of Susan Lorincz and Ajike Owens. The film is heartbreaking and deeply complex, capturing a moment that feels all too reflective of the current tensions and divisions in American life.
The Perfect Neighbor is the story of the tragic intersection of lives of Susan Lorincz and Ajike Owens. Two individuals who on the outside had very little in common other than the proximity of their homes. Susan is isolated from her neighborhood due to frequent racist comments and anger directed at children. Ajike, one of the mothers of the children, takes a stand against Susan with tragic results. Director Geeta Gandbhir uses nothing but dashboard and body cam footage to present the compelling story. Using archived camera footage increases the reality of the incident but also makes the audience feel the tension around every corner. Audiences can feel the incident building by witnessing the events that lead up to their devastating encounter. Every frame feels important and unfiltered, forcing the audience to confront how quickly fear and tension driven by racism can escalate to a stunning conclusion.
What makes The Perfect Neighbor so effective is the way in which director Geeta Gandbhir presents the neighborhood in which the events unfold. It’s different than hearing about an event like this on the news because the audience is connected to the residents of Marion County, FL. It humanizes the events but also makes the residents incredibly likeable. Each person has a unique story and background that they bring to the neighborhood. Perhaps none stronger than Ajike Owens herself. Owens works full time at the local McDonald’s but works her schedule around her children’s needs. Her story is representative of so many Americans working to provide a good life for the children, giving them opportunities beyond those with which the parents were raised. Owens’ children are each charming and personable, allowing the events that unfold to result in maximum heartbreak.
In a true crime landscape overflowing with sensationalism, The Perfect Neighbor allows the events to present themselves in real time. It would have been easy to make this documentary through interviews, but the result would’ve been far less impactful. Gandbhir had thousands of hours of footage to comb through in presenting this unbelievably true story. She begins the documentary months before the Owens and Lorincz encounter, to leave a trail of breadcrumbs in pursuit of the story’s violent end. This choice is one which allows the audiences to see how tensions can escalate, but also how minor scuffles can lead to major incidents. Gandbhir is quick not to point blame at any law enforcement official, but does lay out some of the dangers in Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
Target Score 10/10: The Perfect Neighbor is a devastating film, but one that feels essential for this moment in American history. Neighborhoods mirror the state of the nation itself, and this story serves as a haunting reminder of just how divided the country has become.