The Perfect Neighbor

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The Perfect Neighbor

R

Oct 2025

1h 36m

Documentary

Crime

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Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

500+ 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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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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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Extremely powerful and extremely important documentary filmmaking.

Nov 11, 2025

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Sam Adams

Slate

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.

Nov 4, 2025

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 31, 2025

Full Review

Alex Southey

That Shelf

The Perfect Neighbor is an incredibly moving, effectively told exploration of a tragedy.

Nov 25, 2025

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

... a close-up portrait of the irrational xenophobia that has gripped much of American society and politics in recent years.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 20, 2025

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Steve Murray

ArtsATL

It’s an object lesson in the ways basic civility has eroded.

Nov 11, 2025

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W M.

It's not an interesting story. Just sad

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/30/25

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Tanya V

I absolutely recommend this movie, although it will (should) make you angry. We don't typically get to see the full story of how racial friction leads to tragedy, but that is what this film lays bare. It's frustrating and infuriating to watch this older woman rage against her neighbors for simply playing football and roller skating and being kids around her house - but people like her do exist, unfortunately. The way the film was edited was incredible, considering that most of the video came from bodycam footage. Watching the police do what they can to help the situation within the limits of the law was interesting, and of course disappointing when they couldn't take greater action to discourage the "perfect neighbor" from her ridiculous behavior. What a miserable person! But it was worth watching to have a better understanding of how some community relationships develop and deteriorate around us.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/25

Full Review

John C.

This is what happens when a crazy woman thinks she can go off kids in the community. It is sad to see that someone had to die to see what our life has become. We are so barbaric

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/26/25

Full Review

Don S

This movie is not as much entertaining as it is thought provoking and unsettling, and that’s exactly what makes it a must see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

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Imani B.

Wow what a way to include the spectator. I felt like the chronological order of events allowed the audience to understand all events that led to such a horrific ending

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

Full Review

A S

Rating is not based on the entertainment level of this docu. But the way the story is told and the content of the docu.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/25/25

Full Review

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Geeta Gandbhir

Director

Nikon Kwantu

Producer

Geeta Gandbhir

Producer

Alisa Payne

Producer

Sam Bisbee

Producer

Sam Pollard

Executive Producer

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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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