Lights Out

Lights Out centers on a narrative of social media obsession, the fantasies that spring from that obsession, and the transition from fantasy to reality in Aly and Josh’s relationship. Aly and Josh constantly wonder if they are acting on fantasies that should be kept in their mind or acting out an obsession that might be unhealthy. These doubts reflect the real dangers of following Aly and Josh’s actions, such as Aly’s risk of assault if Josh is not as kind as he seems or the risk of criminal prosecution that Josh will face if Aly is not a willing participant in their games. However, a critical facet of the narrative is how smoothly this transition plays out for both characters, highlighting both how special their relationship is and how dangerous it would be for a person in real life to act out these fantasies.

For Josh, the concern of obsession and fantasy is rooted in his father’s crimes, which Josh feels doomed to repeat. He hints at a progression toward becoming a serial killer when he asks himself, “Was this how it started? Just a quasi-innocent fantasy about ravaging a woman somewhere that no one could hear her scream?” (16).