What Is a Prequel Before? Understanding Stories in Reverse
Defining a prequel: what it is and what it’s not
A prequel is a work of fiction (movie, book, game, whatever) that takes place before the events of an already existing story.
That’s it, in plain terms. It shows what happened before the original plot — often diving into characters’ backstories, world-building, or key events that shaped what came later.
Now, people sometimes ask: “But what’s a prequel before?”
Well, weirdly enough, that question answers itself. A prequel is before the original story, even if it’s made or released after.
Example? Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace came out in 1999. But the original trilogy started in 1977. So yeah — the “first” movie in the story came second in real life. Mind-bending, right?
What makes a good prequel (and what ruins one)
Strong connection to the original
A solid prequel should enhance the main story, not just exist on its own island. That means:
Answering long-held questions
Revealing deeper motivations of characters
Showing how things came to be
Basically, it should make the audience go: “Ahhh, so that’s why that happened.”
Avoiding contradictions
This part’s tricky. A bad prequel might mess up the original by:
Changing key facts
Ignoring continuity
Introducing plot holes
Once that happens, fans get grumpy — fast. (Looking at you, certain fantasy franchises.)
I remember watching a prequel series that gave a beloved villain a tragic backstory… which would've been touching, if it hadn’t totally clashed with what we already knew. It felt forced, like someone rewriting the rules mid-game.
Types of prequels: not all are created equal
Character-driven prequels
These focus on a specific person — maybe the hero, maybe the villain — and show who they were before everything went down.
Examples?
Better Call Saul (before Breaking Bad)
Cruella (before 101 Dalmatians)
These often add psychological depth or explain dramatic shifts in personality.
World-building prequels
Instead of focusing on one character, some prequels explore the history of the universe. Think:
The Hobbit (before The Lord of the Rings)
House of the Dragon (before Game of Thrones)
We get to see how the world worked in a different era, long before the chaos we’re familiar with.
Standalone but connected
Some prequels stand almost alone, but still drop breadcrumbs for fans.
They’re designed to be enjoyed even without knowing the original — but you’ll catch extra meaning if you do.
Why creators love making prequels
Let’s be honest: prequels are goldmines for writers and studios.
Why?
Built-in fanbase – People already care about the characters or world.
Creative freedom – It’s the past, so there’s space to explore.
Fixing mistakes – Sometimes, a prequel is a clever way to patch up flaws from the original.
Also, there’s just something irresistible about origin stories. We all want to know: how did this all begin?
Final thoughts: what is a prequel before, really?
A prequel is before the main story, but after the audience already knows the world.
It’s a look back — a chance to dig deeper, get answers, and see everything with fresh eyes.
Sometimes it elevates the original. Sometimes it makes fans rage.
But when done right? A prequel isn’t just “what came before” — it’s what makes the now feel even more powerful.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.