The true-crime documentary The Perfect Neighbour dominated the 10th Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA), securing the top prize and sweeping several key categories. The Netflix film, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, was the night’s biggest winner, taking home an impressive five awards at the gala event held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in New York City. This major recognition signals the film as a frontrunner in the highly competitive documentary awards season.
The Perfect Neighbour Critics Choice haul was led by the coveted award for Best Documentary Feature. The film also earned director Geeta Gandbhir the award for Best Director and Viridiana Lieberman the prize for Best Editing. Additionally, the feature was recognized in the genre-specific categories, taking home honors for both Best Archival Documentary and Best True Crime Documentary, reflecting the depth of its storytelling and use of police body camera footage.
The documentary focuses on the 2023 fatal shooting of Ajike Owens, a Black woman, by her white neighbor in Ocala, Florida. Critics praised the film for its powerful and timely examination of America’s controversial “stand your ground” laws. The multiple wins underscore the documentary’s critical impact in dissecting complex social and racial issues through rigorous non-fiction filmmaking.
While other acclaimed films like Mr. Scorsese and Ocean with David Attenborough also secured multiple trophies, the decisive victory by The Perfect Neighbour Critics Choice win places it at the forefront of the Oscar race conversation. The dominance of the true-crime feature confirms the increasing appetite for impactful, journalistically solid documentary cinema that challenges legal and social norms.
