When the Street Lights Go On
Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
When the Street Lights Go On
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that When the Street Lights Go On is a murder mystery about a student journalist who investigates the deaths of a teacher and a fellow student. Though the show takes place in a high school and has a lighter, Veronica Mars-esque vibe, it does have a lot of mature content, including underage sex, statutory rape, and underage drinking. Full-frontal male nudity is shown within the first few minutes, and the show features relationships between underage students and adult teenagers, and includes a scene where a man and a woman are forced to strip at gunpoint.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON, when a student and her teacher are murdered, a high school journalist (Ben Ahlers) decides to cover the story for the school newspaper. As he investigates the crime, he uncovers unsettling parts of his hometown that few people knew existed.
Is It Any Good?
A murder mystery is an ambitious use of Quibi's short-form platform: 10-minute episodes seem like a tough way to establish a complex web of suspects and motives. But When the Street Lights Go On's brief installments feel confident and content-rich, each revealing as much information as, say, a chapter of a novel. The screenplay has been floating around for years, reaching some notoriety, and this is an interesting way to finally see it presented. With continued solid writing and complex but clear storytelling, it's probably worth sticking around to see the murderer unveiled.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about murder mysteries. Why are they so popular? What do you think goes into creating a truly surprising outcome?
What do we know about the setting and time period of When the Street Lights Go On? How does this affect the relationships and the mystery?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 6, 2020
- Cast: Queen Latifah, Tony Hale, Mark Duplass
- Network: Quibi
- Genre: Drama
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Veronica Mars
Strong female teen private eye digs into serious topics.
-
American Vandal
Language, high school sex jokes in wry true-crime satire.
-
Riverdale
Dark, dramatic take on Archie comics is campy fun.
For kids who love mysteries
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate