Netflix subscribers have been left emotionally devastated by a powerful true crime documentary, with many admitting they struggled to finish watching the harrowing footage of a family's grief. The Perfect Neighbour, released on the streaming platform in October 2023, has been branded the 'scariest documentary of the season' by shaken audiences.
A Fatal Dispute Between Neighbours
The feature-length film meticulously documents the events leading to the tragic death of Ajike 'AJ' Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four from Ocala, Florida. The documentary reveals how a long-simmering neighbourly dispute escalated into fatal violence on June 2, 2023.
Using a combination of police body camera footage, emergency service calls, home security videos, and real-time audio, the film reconstructs the tense relationship between Owens and her white neighbour, Susan Lorincz, 60. It details how Lorincz, an insurance agent, had repeatedly harassed Owens' children, allegedly using racial slurs and waving a gun.
The Tragic Confrontation and Legal Aftermath
The confrontation reached its climax when Owens went to Lorincz's door to confront her over allegations she had thrown a rollerblade at one of her children and smashed a tablet. Lorincz fired a single bullet from her Remington .380 handgun through her locked door, striking the unarmed Owens, who was standing with her 12-year-old son.
Lorincz initially claimed she acted in self-defence under Florida's controversial 'stand your ground' law, telling police she was in 'fear of her life'. However, after four days of investigation and review of security footage, she was arrested and charged with manslaughter. In 2024, a jury rejected her self-defence claim.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods dismissed her version of events as 'BS', stating neighbour's security camera videos were 'the final nail'. Public outcry followed the case, prompting widespread calls for legal reform.
Viewer Reaction and Critical Acclaim
The documentary's raw portrayal of the incident and its aftermath has provoked a visceral response from Netflix audiences. Many took to review sites to describe the 96-minute film as 'gripping and deeply unsettling'.
One viewer wrote, 'This might be the scariest documentary you’ll see this season,' while another stated, 'I’m half way into this documentary BAWLING my eyes out. It's a hard watch.' Scenes showing the immediate aftermath of the shooting were described as 'unbearable'.
The film has achieved significant critical success, holding a strong 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes and climbing Netflix's global Top 10 charts. Director Geeta Gandbhir, who spent over a year gathering police documents and community interviews, told Netflix the project aimed to 'transform grief into purpose' by examining how everyday disputes can turn deadly.
For Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, the legal outcome brought a measure of solace. 'My heart is a little lighter, and we're now on the path of true healing,' she said following the jury's verdict. Lorincz now faces up to 30 years in prison.
The Perfect Neighbour is available to stream globally on Netflix.
