A premarital relationship is a major component of two of the main characters' situation which is pushed on the viewer in a fairly drawn out scene about the woman not allowing the man to stay at her residence for the evening after an implied sexual encounter. Be aware that some complex topics are intertwined with the story such as mental health, abandonment, estranged family member situations, and suicide.
The character development rises just above completely flat, and very little can be said of cinematography beyond utilizing lighting as a plot device. That story, coupled with the jumpscares, keeps the movie above monotonous drivel. A semi-complex backstory is revealed, but explained thoroughly, so most children of at least twelve or thirteen should be able to follow. Lights Out relies mostly on jumpscares to frighten but is held together by a clear and cohesive story.
