Spoiler

Spoilers are information about a text or a performance that may ruin some readers'/viewers' surprise and/or enjoyment if they learn about them outside the intended narrative reveal structure.

For instance, revealing the twist ending to a movie, or the identity of the killer in a murder mystery, may spoil some audience member's appreciation of the suspense in its first acquaintance with these stories.

In the context of critical/literary analysis and discussion, the whole of a work may be discussed, inevitably "spoiling" aspects of it for those who want to approach the work de novo, with a blank slate.

It is conventional in many discussion forums to include "spoiler warnings" to forestall the possibility of accidental exposure to spoilers. And here in the FSFwiki, we are nothing if not conventional, so people should feel free to put the {{spoiler}} template in an article if they think it has significant spoiler potential.

The concept of (plot) spoilers has been criticized for privileging plot over other elements of works, such as character development, imagery, writing, etc. A waggish feminist might suggest that narrative plot is a patriarchal plot (as in conspiracy), encouraging audiences/readers to believe in a presumed progressive narrative of "change" and "progress", while neglecting critical analysis of power relations, characterization, and beautiful long descriptions of the water-like imagery of lesbian sexuality. But surely that wouldn't be serious and would violate the "Humorless Feminism Rule".