o1 can write shockingly well. Judge for yourself.

The scene below is unedited output from GPT o1 based on an incomplete screenplay and outline of mine. It finished the outline, and then I asked it to write one of the new scenes in the style of my scenes, and this is what it did on its first try.

INT. HILLTOP CLEARING - NIGHT

The lunar eclipse casts an eerie red glow over the hilltop. JACK JR., MIA, and ETHAN stand at the center of a makeshift ritual circle, surrounded by candles and ancient symbols drawn in chalk. BECKY watches nervously from the edge, clutching a flashlight.

A sudden gust of wind extinguishes the candles. The temperature drops. Shadows stretch unnaturally as SILAS emerges from the darkness, his tall, lanky figure silhouetted against the blood-red moon.

SILAS - So, you've come to play hero, Jack.

Jack Jr. steps forward, trying to mask his fear.

JACK JR. - It's over, Silas. We're ending this tonight.

Silas chuckles, a dry, hollow sound.

SILAS - Ending it? You have no idea what "it" even is.

Mia and Ethan exchange worried glances. Becky inches closer to Jack Jr.

BECKY(whispering) - Jack, who is this guy?

JACK JR. - An old... acquaintance.

Silas's pale-blue eyes fixate on Jack Jr.

SILAS - You can't stop fate, child. The Album's will is beyond your control.

JACK JR. - We'll see about that.

Jack Jr. raises an old artifact—a pendant glowing faintly. Silas raises an eyebrow.

SILAS - Ah, the amulet of Severin. Clever. But trinkets won't save you.

He takes a step closer. The ground beneath him withers, grass turning to ash.

MIA - Jack, be careful!

Silas gestures, and the pendant crumbles to dust in Jack Jr.'s hand.

ETHAN - What the—

SILAS - I've walked this earth for centuries, bound to the Album. Do you think you can defy me with parlor tricks?

Jack Jr. squares his shoulders.

JACK JR. - Maybe not with tricks, but with determination.

Silas's expression softens, almost sympathetic.

SILAS - Determination. I remember having that once.

He circles them slowly, like a predator stalking prey.

SILAS (CONT'D) - You see, I was once like you—a seer, chosen by the Album. I tried to fight it, too.

Jack Jr.'s eyes widen.

JACK JR. - What are you talking about?

Silas stops, his gaze distant.

SILAS - The Album is no mere object. It's a force—a conduit of destiny. Those who possess it are cursed to witness the threads of fate, unable to alter them.

He looks directly at Jack Jr.

SILAS (CONT'D) - Unless, of course, they accept their role.

BECKY - Jack, let's get out of here. This guy is nuts.

Silas snaps his fingers. Becky is suddenly frozen in place, her flashlight flickering erratically.

JACK JR. - Becky!

He rushes to her, but an invisible barrier blocks him.

JACK JR. (CONT'D) - What did you do to her?

SILAS - She's unharmed—for now.

Mia steps forward defiantly.

MIA - Leave her alone!

SILAS(amused) - Ah, the loyal friends. How touching.

He waves a hand, and Mia and Ethan find themselves rooted to the spot, unable to move.

ETHAN - I can't... move!

SILAS - Now, Jack, let's have a real conversation.

Jack Jr.'s fear turns to anger.

JACK JR. - Release them!

SILAS - In due time.

He closes the distance between them.

SILAS (CONT'D) - I offer you a choice. Accept your destiny. Take your place as the Album's guardian, and your family, your friends—they all go free. Safe from harm.

Jack Jr. hesitates.

JACK JR. - And what happens to me?

SILAS - You will inherit my burden. Immortality, of a sort. Bound to the Album, guiding the next seer when your time comes.

JACK JR. - Why me?

Silas smiles faintly.

SILAS - Because you can see. Truly see. Just as I once did.

He extends his hand, long fingers beckoning.

SILAS (CONT'D) - Join me, Jack. Spare them the pain that fate has in store.

Jack Jr. looks at Becky, Mia, and Ethan—all frozen, fear in their eyes.

JACK JR. - And if I refuse?

Silas's expression darkens.

SILAS - Then the Album will claim them. One by one. Tragedies you cannot prevent. Suffering you will be powerless to stop.

Jack Jr. clenches his fists.

JACK JR. - You're lying.

SILAS - Am I? You've seen the photographs. You know what's coming.

Images flash through Jack Jr.'s mind—the haunting photos from the Album depicting disasters involving his loved ones.

SILAS (CONT'D) - Their lives in exchange for your service. A fair trade.

Jack Jr. looks down, conflicted.

JACK JR. - I don't want anyone to get hurt.

SILAS - Then accept my offer.

A tense silence. The wind howls around them, the eclipse nearing its totality.

MIA(struggling) - Jack... don't...

Silas glances at Mia, tightening his grip over her.

SILAS - Your time is running out.

Jack Jr. takes a deep breath.

JACK JR. - If I do this, you swear they'll be safe?

SILAS

On my word.

JACK JR. - And what about you? What happens to you?

A hint of relief crosses Silas's face.

SILAS - I am released. Free at last from this eternal chain.

Jack Jr. considers, then looks Silas in the eye.

JACK JR. - How do I know you're telling the truth?

SILAS - You don't. But what choice do you have?

Jack Jr. closes his eyes, the weight of the decision crushing him.

Suddenly, a faint glow emits from his backpack. The Album inside reacts to the eclipse.

VOICE (WHISPERING) - Jack...

He opens his eyes.

JACK JR. - Who—?

A translucent figure appears beside him—Sam, his old friend.

SAM - Don't do it, Jack.

Jack Jr. is stunned.

JACK JR. - Sam?

Silas scowls.

SILAS - Enough of this!

He tries to dispel the apparition, but Sam remains.

SAM - You can't carry his burden. It's not your destiny.

JACK JR. - But I have to save them!

SAM - You can save them another way.

Silas raises his hands, summoning dark energy.

SILAS - I tire of these delays.

Before he can strike, Becky breaks free from the immobilizing force.

BECKY - Jack! Don't listen to him!

Mia and Ethan also regain movement.

MIA - We're in this together!

ETHAN - We'll find another way!

Silas's control weakens. The bonds of friendship overpower his hold.

SILAS - Impossible...

Jack Jr. stands tall.

JACK JR. - I won't take your deal.

Silas's eyes blaze with fury.

SILAS - Then you have sealed their fates!

He unleashes a torrent of dark energy toward them. Jack Jr. braces for impact, but a shield of light forms around the group, emanating from the Album.

Silas is pushed back, struggling against the light.

SILAS (CONT'D) - No! This can't be!

The Album levitates out of Jack Jr.'s backpack, pages flipping rapidly. The photographs emit beams of light, each one representing a moment of love and connection.

JACK JR. - It's over, Silas. Your hold is broken.

Silas stumbles, his form flickering.

SILAS - You think you've won? The Album cannot be destroyed!

JACK JR. - Maybe not by me alone.

He looks at his friends and sister.

JACK JR. (CONT'D) - But together...

They join hands, their unity strengthening the light. The Album shines brighter, and Silas lets out a final, anguished scream before dissolving into shadows that scatter with the wind.

The eclipse reaches totality, bathing the hilltop in a deep red before the moon moves past, and normal light returns.

ETHAN - Is... is it over?

MIA - I think so.

The Album gently floats back into Jack Jr.'s hands. Its cover is now blank, the pages empty.

BECKY - What happened?

JACK JR. - We broke the cycle.

He opens the Album—a single new photograph appears. It's of all four of them standing together at this very moment.

MIA - Look!

They gaze at the photo, a symbol of their victory and newfound bond.

JACK JR.(smiling) - I guess this is a new beginning.

They stand together, watching as the first light of dawn creeps over the horizon.

FADE OUT.