What is the difference between foreshadowing and spoilers?

Foreshadowing and spoilers involve revealing information about future events in a story, but they should not be confused.

• Foreshadowing is an indirect suggestion or clue about what comes next. It is usually so subtle that it may go unnoticed until later in the narrative. Foreshadowing maintains the audience’s curiosity and engagement in the story.
• On the other hand, a spoiler is a direct and explicit revelation about story developments. As the name suggests, it spoils the audience’s enjoyment of the story and is typically unwanted.

In short, foreshadowing is a narrative technique that adds to the depth and complexity of storytelling, whereas a spoiler diminishes the impact of storytelling.