Oscar-nominated documentary, “The Perfect Neighbor,” will hold special screenings at Stanford University on Feb. 25 and Fordham University School of Law on March 4.
Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, “The Perfect Neighbor” tells the story of a minor neighborhood dispute in Florida that escalated into deadly gun violence when Ajike Owens, a young Black mother of four, was shot and killed by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz. The documentary is made from police bodycam, ringcam, and cell phone footage, as well as recorded 911 calls.
The film highlights Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws, which allow individuals to use deadly force if they believe it necessary to prevent death or bodily harm, as invoked by Lorincz during her trial.
Stanford Law School will hold a screening and discussion with Gandbhir and producer Nikon Kwantu on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. The event will be held in collaboration with the American Constitution Society, the Stanford Criminal Justice Center, Women of Stanford Law, and the Middle Eastern and South Asian Law Students Association.
Fordham Law School’s Center on Race, Law and Justice will hold a screening and Q&A with Gandbhir and producer Alisa Payne on March 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Leading up to the 2023 shooting, Lorincz called 911 consistently over a two-year period, complaining that Owens’ children and other neighborhood children were making too much noise and playing on “her property.” In an interview with Variety, Gandbhir described the pace of the film as “a slow burn.”
“You have these revelations that make you deeply uncomfortable throughout,” said the filmmaker. “It’s a horror film in many ways.”
Originally premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, “The Perfect Neighbor” was acquired by Netflix in February 2025 for a reported $5 million. The documentary debuted with 16.7 million views in its first three days on Netflix.