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Netflix Sets Oct. 17 Release for The Perfect Neighbor, a Police-Bodycam Portrait of the AJ Owens Case

The film uses police bodycam with 911 audio to scrutinize a disputed self-defense claim in a 2023 Ocala killing.

Overview

  • Director Geeta Gandbhir’s feature arrives in select theaters on October 10 before streaming on Netflix on October 17.
  • The documentary reconstructs events primarily through on‑scene bodycam and later interrogation footage rather than interviews.
  • Ajike “AJ” Owens was killed in Ocala, Florida on June 2, 2023, after a long-running neighbor dispute documented by multiple deputy callouts since 2021.
  • Shooter Susan Lorincz claimed self‑defense and called 911, while investigators detailed allegations of racial slurs and escalating confrontations preceding the shooting through a closed door.
  • Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter on August 16, 2024 and received a 25‑year sentence in November, as the case fueled scrutiny of stand‑your‑ground laws, including criticism from Sheriff Billy Woods.