A flashforward is a storytelling device that jumps ahead in time, showing events that will happen later in the narrative. It teases outcomes before the main timeline reaches them.
Flashforwards build suspense, anticipation, and dramatic irony. They let the audience see glimpses of the future while raising questions about how the story gets there.Used well, it keeps audiences curious about how characters end up where they do.
Deploy flashforwards to open a story with intrigue or foreshadow major events. Maintain clarity through visual or structural cues so viewers understand it's a future scene, not a continuity error.
Signal clearly – Use stylistic cues (music, editing, lighting) so audiences recognize it as future, not present.
Add intrigue, not spoilers – Provide just enough to build suspense without giving away the entire outcome.
Tie back narratively – Ensure the flashforward’s payoff connects meaningfully with later story beats.