flashforwards

Flashforwards are a narrative technique in which scenes are shown that occur after the current point in the story's timeline. A flashforward cuts away from the present action to reveal future events, which may then be revisited later in the work. The device is commonly used in literature, film, and television to reorganize time and to raise questions about cause and consequence.

Unlike flashbacks, which move backward in time, flashforwards move the narrative forward. They can function as direct revelations of outcomes, or as foreshadowing that escalates tension by showing consequences yet to come. They allow authors to explore how current choices shape the near or distant future and to interlink seemingly unrelated story threads.

Flashforwards may be brief or extended, and they may be presented from different characters' perspectives. They can occur at irregular intervals or anchor a particular chapter or episode. Effective uses balance mystery with clarity, ensuring viewers or readers do not lose track of the main timeline.

Among contemporary media, television has employed flashforwards prominently, with shows like Lost using future sequences to reveal pivotal events and character outcomes several seasons ahead. In novels and films, the technique appears within non-linear narratives that complicate the reader's or viewer's understanding of cause and effect.