The Return of ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Could Shake Up the Documentary Oscar Race, But Strong Competition Persists

Oscar Contenders: Netflix’s Documentary Landscape Shifts Amidst Strong Competition

Susan Lorincz has become a controversial figure among Netflix viewers following her conviction for shooting and killing her Black neighbor, Ajike Owens, in 2023, a case that has drawn scrutiny due to Florida’s "stand your ground" law. Geeta Gandbhir’s gripping documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, chronicles the events using police and dash cam footage, winning five awards at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, including Best Documentary Feature.

These accolades, along with several others—including a directing award at Sundance—position The Perfect Neighbor as a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars. With Netflix previously dominating this category, the streaming service is eager to reestablish its presence after a string of limited nominations following wins for Icarus in 2018, American Factory in 2020, and My Octopus Teacher in 2021. Since then, Netflix has secured only one nomination—in 2024 for To Kill a Tiger, a film it acquired post-nomination.

This year marks a competitive landscape, not only for The Perfect Neighbor but also for two other award-winning documentaries: Cover-Up, directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, focuses on journalist Seymour Hersh’s investigations, and Apocalypse in the Tropics, by Petra Costa, explores the rise of Christian nationalism in Brazil.

Gandbhir expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “It’s an honor,” while also urging Netflix to continue investing in meaningful documentaries that address critical issues. She emphasized the commercial viability of films tackling complex topics, asserting their appeal to audiences.

Netflix faces stiff competition from Kino Lorber, which has multiple strong entries, including Riefenstahl, examining the works of German director Leni Riefenstahl, and Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, a poignant narrative from Palestinian poet Fatma Hassona during the Israeli siege of Gaza. Farsi, the film’s director, recounted her bond with Hassona through video calls amid the traumatic backdrop of the conflict, tragically underscored by Hassona’s death in an Israeli strike just hours after the film’s selection for the Cannes Film Festival.

Other notable Oscar contenders that premiered at Cannes include My Mom Jayne, a documentary on actress Jayne Mansfield by Mariska Hargitay, and Orwell: 2+2=5, Raoul Peck’s exploration of George Orwell’s relevance today, particularly regarding rising authoritarianism. Peck remarked on the pervasive nature of "Newspeak" in contemporary society, aligning Orwell’s insights with current events.

In late-year competition, Poitras and Obenhaus’s Cover-Up and Tamara Kotevska’s The Tale of Silyan bring broader narratives into play. Silyan, acquired by National Geographic, details a man’s transformative experience rescuing an injured stork, showcasing themes of connection and empathy.

Oscar winner Mstyslav Chernov returns with 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a film chronicling the struggles of Ukrainian forces during conflict. Chernov describes the suffocating atmosphere of war, emphasizing the plight of his country: “We, as Ukrainians, are stuck in this war.”

Two additional films addressing repression in Russia also vie for Oscar recognition: My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow by Julia Loktev and Mr. Nobody Against Putin by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin.

Independent documentaries are vying for a spotlight this year, with Holding Liat, stemming from tragic events following the kidnapping of Liat Beinin Atzili by Hamas, gaining traction despite lacking U.S. distribution. Kramer highlighted the urgent narrative of Liat’s family that speaks against further violence and dehumanization.

Among other contenders, Come See Me in the Good Light about poet Andrea Gibson has garnered six nominations for the Cinema Eye Honors, while Brittany Shyne’s Seeds emerges as an X factor in the Oscar race, securing multiple nominations at Sundance.

Kim A. Snyder, returning from her Oscar-nominated year, presents The Librarians, addressing the challenges facing librarians amid rising attacks over accusations of grooming. Sarah Jessica Parker, an executive producer, stressed the importance of safeguarding education and access to knowledge.

The Jarecki brothers are also in the mix: Andrew Jarecki’s The Alabama Solution reveals alarming prison conditions, while Eugene Jarecki’s The Six Billion Dollar Man revisits the narrative of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

As excitement mounts for this year’s Oscars, clarity is anticipated post the reveal of the Oscar shortlists for various categories on Tuesday, December 16.