Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Lights Out

film

Lights Out

2016

Rebecca must unlock the terror behind her little brother's experiences that once tested her sanity, bringing her face to face with a supernatural spirit attached to their mother.

Ages 16+Source checked

Why this age? PG-13 horror is intense and sustained, with frightening supernatural peril, deaths, violence, disturbing imagery, and suicide-related themes. Mature teens are better equipped to process its fear and family trauma. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age16+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes5/5
  • Death of a character4/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Includes on-screen and off-screen character deaths, including a suicide theme tied to the entity's backstory.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Includes some bloody injuries and implied harm, but avoids extreme or lingering gore.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional strong language and profanity consistent with a PG-13 rating.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

Minor romantic subplot involving the protagonist and her boyfriend.

Frightening scenes5/5
Why this rating?

High tension throughout with frequent jump scares, dark atmosphere, and a persistent, menacing supernatural presence.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal depiction of substances, primarily related to the mother's mental health treatment.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Frequent supernatural attacks and tense confrontations. Some physical violence involves the entity harming human characters.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonists repeatedly face a terrifying entity and danger to protect one another, showing determined if risky bravery.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The inventive light-versus-darkness premise and problem-solving around the supernatural threat may stimulate imaginative thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited representation; standard horror cast tropes.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Strong theme of familial love and protection during crisis.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

The film emphasizes confronting trauma, protecting family, and seeking understanding, while depicting the consequences of untreated distress.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show persistence and protective loyalty, though they also make risky choices under extreme supernatural pressure.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Lights Out would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Lights Out, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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