Eh, knock yourself out.

Flashbacks are considered weak writing in screenplays. In fact, in “Silence of the Lambs” the director had contemplated a flashback showing when Jodi Foster stole one of the lambs that was going to slaughter, but then they had her act out the trauma relaying the event in dialogue and nixed the idea. It was far more powerful keeping it real-time and letting the actress do her job. Now, I WILL say that I am not including non-linear structure in this opinion. Also, some genres like mysteries might be able to do it well. But, as a general rule, the great screenplay teachers will say to work to avoid them.

Yet, I WILL say that flashbacks are easier on an audience in film because we are far more PASSIVE. The visuals are supplied so we aren’t trying to keep up with a new cast in a new time in a different setting the same way as when we read. In text, that is far more taxing.