Neighbors: Feuds Fuel HBO's Compelling New Docuseries

HBO's docuseries "Neighbors" offers a compelling exploration of property disputes across the United States. The series highlights the eccentric and often stubborn nature of Americans, whose belief in property rights leads them into conflicts with equally determined individuals. These clashes span various settings, from urban apartment buildings to rural ranches, unified by a distinctly American sensibility.

The show draws inspiration from social media and the omnipresent nature of surveillance technology. Participants often supply their own footage from Ring cameras and cell phones, documenting their grievances for public consumption. This fusion of the digital and real world forms the core of the series' narrative.

Executive produced in part by a Safdie brother, "Neighbors" casts a spotlight on singular personalities discovered by casting director Harleigh Shaw. The subjects range from a former stripper feuding over a lawn to a transgender individual clashing with a neighbor and a woman attempting to build a front yard wall. These diverse stories provide ample evidence for the series' argument about American culture.

While some disputes involve clear aggressors, many stories highlight individuals locked in conflicts so consuming they cannot see reason, often exacerbated by online exhibitionism. The finale offers a more cohesive arc, suggesting that extreme aggravation can be a choice, prompting viewers to look in the mirror.