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The Perfect Neighbor

Play trailer Poster for The Perfect Neighbor R 2025 1h 36m Documentary Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 101 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A seemingly minor neighborhood dispute in Florida escalates into deadly violence. Police bodycam footage and investigative interviews expose the consequences of Florida's "stand your ground" laws.
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The Perfect Neighbor

The Perfect Neighbor

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Critics Consensus

As gripping as it is deeply unsettling, The Perfect Neighbor lays bare the systemic failures and the quiet terror embedded in American legal systems with surgical precision.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) Nov 11
Extremely powerful and extremely important documentary filmmaking. Go to Full Review
Sam Adams Slate Nov 4
A chilling and provocative look at the limits of policing, particularly when the laws the police are called to enforce present more of a problem than a solution. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers The Travers Take Oct 31
3.5/4
Captured entirely from police cam footage, this Oscar-buzzed documentary about a white Florida woman who murders her Black neighbor indicts an entire society. It's also the scariest movie you’ll see this Halloween season. Go to Full Review
Clement Tyler Obropta Film Inquiry 3d
The true crime documentary is a grotesque art form that time and again has exploited victims, sensationalized brutality and violence, and valorized police officers. Go to Full Review
Lexi Amoriello Movie Recs by Lex Jul 10
The film refuses to let the audience look away and leaves viewers heartbroken, perturbed, and painfully aware of how much work still needs to be done, both in law enforcement and in society at large. Go to Full Review
Lee Zumpe Tampa Bay Newspapers Mar 22
It is an upsetting 97 minutes that needs to be seen. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rob A @RT76386004 Aug 20 Sometimes it's best to simply move if you don't like the neighborhood. Here the racist, mentally unstable protagonist didn't - and it led to manslaughter. Also "stand your ground" laws give people the wrong idea; just call it the right to self defense for the sake of public safety. "Stand your ground" is just asking for trouble. This is doc is definitely worth a watch. See more Anthony H @Hardy Aug 20 This documentary really affected me. The way this documentary used the police body camera footage to tell this tragic story was so innovative and interesting. It’s a terrible case that had me very emotional and distraught. It’s a definite must-watch for all the details and timeline of events. See more J I @OldSport Aug 16 This documentary was tragic for everyone involved. Though the police were polite and professional, I blame them for not more closely monitoring the situation or pursuing other means to de-escalate a situation that was clearly spiraling out of control. While I believe Susan, the woman who fired the gun, had mental illness, I also believe she genuinely felt threatened by the woman banging on her door, even if a lot of the neighborhood drama was the result of her own provocations. I'm not 'taking her side,' just stating the facts. Secondly, no matter what you think of Susan, she should have gotten a lawyer the moment she was brought into custody. The police read her Miranda rights, but from that point forward, they are under no obligation to assist you with an attorney or even tell you the truth. A lawyer could have avoided her highly emotional police confession and acquired critical evidence at the scene. A lawyer could have negotiated a plea deal and likely avoided trial entirely. See more Tom F @RT55173143 Aug 10 You can see where this is going and the filmmaker’s message is obvious, but still a compelling story. A nice positive is how surprisingly professional the police are. See more Paolo F @XKP-Producer Aug 2 Much more of a documentary than a feature film. Don't expect major surprises, other than the fact that the film is more thought-provoking than one might anticipate. It is certainly an original work. Naturally, given the nature of the piece, there are no actors whose performances can be judged, but director Geeta Gandhbir’s work is remarkable. Not suitable for all ages. See more Jack M @ChesterHoneybunch Aug 2 Gripping. Made me cry. See more Read all reviews
The Perfect Neighbor

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Movie Info

Synopsis A seemingly minor neighborhood dispute in Florida escalates into deadly violence. Police bodycam footage and investigative interviews expose the consequences of Florida's "stand your ground" laws.
Director
Geeta Gandbhir
Producer
Nikon Kwantu, Geeta Gandbhir, Alisa Payne, Sam Bisbee
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Message Pictures
Rating
R (Language)
Genre
Documentary, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 10, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 17, 2025
Runtime
1h 36m
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