Home / Arts and Entertainment / True Crime Doc "The Perfect Neighbor" Splits Critics and Audiences
True Crime Doc "The Perfect Neighbor" Splits Critics and Audiences
28 Oct
Summary
- "The Perfect Neighbor" receives rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating
- Follows real-life shooting case and Stand-Your-Ground law controversy
- Audience response less enthusiastic than critical acclaim
As of October 28th, 2025, the Netflix true crime documentary "The Perfect Neighbor" has been making waves, both with critics and audiences. The film, which debuted earlier this month, has received a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as one of Netflix's best offerings at the moment.
This accolade is particularly impressive, as it's uncommon for a project to maintain a perfect critical score, with even acclaimed titles often receiving at least a few negative reviews. "The Perfect Neighbor" had held this lofty position for days, until a single negative review on October 28th bumped it down to 99%. Still, this is an exceptionally high rating that mirrors the attention the documentary received earlier this year when it won the Directing Award at the 2025 Sundance Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize.
However, while critics have been lavishing praise on "The Perfect Neighbor," describing it as "stirring" and "compelling," the audience response has been more mixed. Some viewers have criticized the extensive use of body cam footage, calling the documentary a "slow burn" that didn't quite hit as hard as expected. This contrast between critical and audience reception is not uncommon, but it is noteworthy in this case, as the film explores the real-life shooting of Ajike "A.J." Owens by her neighbor, Susan Louise Lorincz, and the subsequent scrutiny of Florida's "Stand-Your-Ground" law.
