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Netflix is about to release a new true crime documentary called The Perfect Neighbor, and people are already talking about it online. The show tells the story of a deadly conflict in Florida. It looks at the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law and what happens when neighbors and families clash.
The story follows 58-year-old Susan Lorincz, who got into ongoing fights with neighborhood kids and their mother, Ajike Owens. Tragically, Ajike was shot and killed by Susan. The documentary uses police bodycam footage and interviews to show what led up to the shooting and what happened afterward.
Even before the release, viewers on X have been debating whether the documentary counts as “found footage.” Usually, “found footage” refers to movies like Paranormal Activity or Cloverfield, where the story is fictional but shown as if the characters filmed it themselves. In this case, though, it’s real footage from a true event.
Some users argued that calling it “found footage” doesn’t make sense because documentaries aren’t fictional. Others said it absolutely could count as found footage because the style is similar, and “found footage” doesn’t have to be fake—it’s just a storytelling method.
People also had mixed feelings about using bodycam video. Some found it compelling and innovative, while others said it felt uncomfortable to watch real-life violence presented like a cinematic story. Some worried that using this footage could blur the line between reporting facts and entertainment.
Either way, The Perfect Neighbor has already got people talking, and it seems it will spark discussion even before it hits Netflix.