Netflix is currently in talks to acquire the Sundance-winning documentary The Perfect Neighbor.
The film, which won the directing award at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival a few short weeks ago, examines how a tight-knit central Florida community was torn apart after Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old white woman, shot and killed her neighbor Alike Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, through a locked door.
Director Greta Gandbhir brought an unusual style of filmmaking to the project, relying solely on police body camera footage to tell the story, exploring both the before and after of the incident.
Outside of the violence, the film also addresses issues stemming from “Stand Your Ground” laws, especially as it relates to both community divisions and racial tensions. It highlights the drastic effect that one person can have on an otherwise harmonious environment. Upon its premiere in Park City, many audience members noted the privilege Lorincz received as a sign of the preferential treatment many white suspects get.
No specific details of the acquisition have been made available, and neither side has spoken publicly about the negotiation. Undeniably, a platform like Netflix would impact the reach of such a groundbreaking and timely project.
Variety was the first to report on the negotiation.
