Are ChatGPT’s film ideas as good as Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader says? Er, no

Taxi Driver screenwriter Paul Schrader has posted on Facebook that he has been ‘STUNNED’ by how good the film ideas produced.

He wrote, ‘I just asked chatgpt for “an idea for a Paul Schrader film.” Then Paul Thomas Anderson. Then Quentin Tarantino. Then Harmony Korine. Then Ingmar Bergman. Then Rossellini. Lang. Scorsese. Murnau. Capra. Ford. Spielberg. Lynch.

Every idea chatgpt came up with (in a few seconds) was good. And original. And fleshed out. Why should writers sit around for months searching for a good idea when AI can provide one in seconds?’

This was a particular surprise coming from one of Hollywood’s most irascible and uncompromising writers.

While controversy still surrounds the film industry’s use of AI, as evidenced when it emerged that it was used to fix the Hungarian accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in The Brutalist, it seems there is another emerging faction that is embracing the possibilities.

Screenwriters would seem like the last ones to do this, since it could potentially put them out of work, but if they are using the tech for ideas, as opposed to generating whole scripts, then could it be a useful tool? Or is this a Pandora’s Box?

In the interest of seeing if Mr Schrader is on to something, we asked ChatGPT for some different genre film ideas.

And to be frank, we have no idea why he’s so enthusiastic.

Here’s what we asked for, the pitch ChatGPT responded with, and our verdict on that idea:

A found footage horror idea

ChatGPT’s response:

‘Sure! How about this:

Title: The Silence Below

Premise: A group of urban explorers, intrigued by the rumors of a forgotten underground network of tunnels beneath a major city, set out to document their journey through the labyrinthine system. What begins as an exciting adventure quickly turns unsettling as they realize they aren’t alone. Strange, inaudible whispers echo through the tunnels, and eerie, unexplainable symbols begin to appear on the walls.

As the explorers venture deeper, they uncover remnants of an old, secretive cult that once used the tunnels for ritualistic purposes. The footage they capture becomes increasingly erratic, with shadowy figures briefly appearing on camera, and strange occurrences—like missing items or disorienting time lapses—suggesting that something is manipulating their perception of reality.

The true horror is revealed when they realize the tunnel system is not just haunted by spirits, but something far older and more malevolent: an entity that thrives on their fear and is feeding off the growing tension among the group. The explorers must fight to escape before the tunnels consume them—both physically and mentally.

Would you be into this concept?’

Our verdict:

5/10

It’s a bit of a rip-off of The Descent, but the cult aspect gives it a True Detective eeriness. And having both spirits and an unknown entity feels a bit muddled when surely one monster is the way forward. Feels like it’d be an average film with a mild cult appeal for genre fans.

A family Christmas film idea

ChatGPT’s response:

‘Sure! How about this:

Title: The Christmas Wish*

Premise: A young girl, Lily, is struggling with the recent loss of her father. The holiday season has always been her favorite time of year, but this Christmas, it feels impossible to find joy. As she battles with her emotions, she discovers a hidden letter tucked away in a family photo album—written by her dad just before he passed. In it, he had written a heartfelt "Christmas Wish" for her and the family, asking them to find ways to hold onto the magic of the season even in the toughest of times.

Lily, along with her mom and little brother, sets out to fulfill the wish by performing small acts of kindness around the neighborhood. Along the way, they rekindle the Christmas spirit and start to heal, realizing that their love for each other and the memories they’ve made with her dad can bring back the joy they’ve lost. With each act of kindness, strange, almost magical things begin to happen—like Christmas lights mysteriously lighting up, or someone surprising them with a gift that feels like it was meant just for them.

The heartwarming journey culminates in a final surprise: Lily’s mom, in a moment of deep emotion, discovers that her late husband's final wish was not just about keeping Christmas alive—it was about finding the courage to open her heart again to love and happiness, something she’d been too afraid to do after his death.

The film would have a cozy, magical feel, mixing in light-hearted comedy with tender moments. The underlying theme would focus on the healing power of family, kindness, and the way the Christmas spirit can live on, even when we feel like it's slipping away.

Does that sound like something you’d enjoy?’

Our verdict:

2/10

This sounds way too earnest, totally sickly sweet. Probably the most overly-worthy sentimental hogwash ever written. Where are the gags that you need in Christmas films? Can ChatGPT do comedy?

A high school comedy idea

Chat GPT’s response:

‘Of course! How about this:

Title: Class President

Premise: When a high school’s student government election rolls around, a nerdy but charming underdog, Max, who has no interest in politics, gets roped into running for class president after his best friend dares him. The catch? Max’s rival, Amber, is a popular, overachieving girl with a reputation for winning everything. She's smart, organized, and totally has the school elections in the bag—until Max’s awkward but endearing campaign starts to win over the student body.

Max, with no experience in campaigning, begins using hilariously unconventional strategies: organizing a massive, chaotic talent show that goes completely off the rails, creating “unofficial” student surveys that turn into viral memes, and making an absurdly funny campaign video where he mistakenly recruits a mascot costume and ends up in a series of slapstick situations. Somehow, his disastrous approach starts working because it’s authentic, and students start to feel like maybe they want a class president who’s a little less polished and a lot more real.

Meanwhile, Amber, who has always been the "perfect" candidate, starts showing cracks in her carefully curated persona. She gets caught in a scandal involving a super embarrassing family situation, which makes her seem less like the unapproachable perfect girl and more like a regular teenager.

As the election day approaches, Max finds himself unintentionally becoming the voice of the students who feel overlooked, misunderstood, and bored by the usual election drama. It all leads to a hilarious, unexpected conclusion at the school assembly, where Max has to pull off one last ridiculous stunt to win the race—or lose it all.

The film would be a fun mix of classic high school comedy tropes (awkward moments, goofy pranks, exaggerated social cliques) with a twist of heart and genuine humor about finding your own voice, even when it seems impossible. Think "Election" meets "Superbad" with a dash of "Ferris Bueller."’

What do you think? Would it be the kind of high school comedy that would make you laugh?’

Our verdict

1/10

No, it wouldn’t make us laugh. This is the problem with AI: this treatment is so blandly derivative of the films it mentions that there’s no hook at all for audiences. It’s a non-idea, only a collection of tropes. ‘Awkward moments, goofy pranks, exaggerated social cliques’ is enough to make you cringe. Hardly Pretty in Pink is it?

A spy thriller

ChatGPT’s response:

‘Absolutely! Here’s an idea for a spy thriller:

Title: The Double Cross

Premise: A seasoned undercover CIA agent, Ethan Ward, is tasked with infiltrating an international arms syndicate led by a ruthless, enigmatic arms dealer named Viktor Petrov. However, just days before the operation begins, Ethan receives an anonymous message warning him that one of his closest allies within the agency is secretly working for Petrov. Torn between loyalty and paranoia, Ethan must navigate a tangled web of deception, betrayal, and double-crosses to uncover the truth.

As Ethan goes deeper into the syndicate, his life becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. He quickly realizes that the lines between ally and enemy are blurred, as multiple players—ranging from fellow agents to corrupt government officials—have their own hidden agendas. A mysterious woman, Lena, emerges as a wildcard; she claims to have critical information to take down Petrov, but Ethan can't tell if she's genuinely helping or playing him for her own purposes.

In a series of tense confrontations, betrayals, and near-death escapes, Ethan races against time to stop Petrov from executing a catastrophic plan to sell highly advanced weapons to terrorist organizations. However, just when Ethan believes he’s on the verge of bringing down the syndicate, he discovers the most shocking twist: he himself has been unknowingly manipulated to play a key role in Petrov’s plan all along.

In a final showdown, Ethan must confront the truth about who is really pulling the strings and who can be trusted. As the story unravels, it becomes a nail-biting battle for survival, where the stakes aren't just about saving lives but about unraveling a conspiracy that could change the global balance of power forever.

What do you think? Would you want to dive into a story like this?’

Our verdict:

2/10

No, this is not good either. From the by-numbers name of the protagonist to the thinly-written femme fatale and the non-shocking shocking twist (he’s been manipulated all along? No way!), this has dud written all over it. Maybe if Schrader worked in some hard-boiled magic? Even then, this is less than exciting.

A romantic comedy set in London

ChatGPT’s response:

‘Sure! How about this:

Title: London, Love, and Lattes

Premise: In the heart of London, Sophie, a quirky, coffee-obsessed bookshop owner, has made a name for herself by hosting weekly literary events and serving the city's most inventive lattes. Life is predictable and cozy—until one rainy morning, a successful but grumpy corporate lawyer, Tom, stumbles into her café, looking for a caffeine fix. He’s all business, a no-nonsense kind of guy who never understood the point of poetry readings, and certainly doesn't see the appeal of artisanal coffee blends.

When Tom accidentally ruins a high-profile literary event Sophie’s been planning for weeks, their worlds collide in the most chaotic way. Sophie, exasperated but intrigued, challenges Tom to attend more of her events to “broaden his horizons” and discover the joys of real London culture. He reluctantly agrees, seeing it as the perfect way to prove he can survive anything, but as he gets to know Sophie’s world—and her offbeat charm—he begins to soften.

As they spend more time together, their opposites-attract dynamic leads to hilarious situations: awkward blind dates, an impromptu poetry slam (where Tom accidentally becomes a reluctant star), and a series of mix-ups at local bookshops and quirky cafés around the city. But when Sophie’s coffee shop faces the threat of being bought out by a big corporation (ironically, the one Tom works for), she’s heartbroken and ready to give up. Tom must then pull out all the stops to show Sophie he’s willing to fight for her—and for her dream—no matter the cost.

In the final act, after a hilariously chaotic romantic gesture involving a massive coffee art competition (with a surprise flash-mob and a huge, heartfelt declaration of love in the middle of a busy London square), Sophie realizes that Tom isn’t just a corporate suit—he’s the man who’s willing to step out of his comfort zone for her. And maybe, just maybe, their differences are exactly what make them perfect for each other.

The film would play on the charm of London’s cultural mix, with a heavy dose of quirky, warm moments as the characters discover the joy of exploring each other’s worlds. With lots of witty banter, a little bit of serendipity, and heartwarming moments, it would have the right balance of romance and comedy—plus, who doesn’t love a good café setting?

How does that sound for a rom-com in London? Would you want to watch that?’

Our verdict:

3/10

I mean, it could work. Most romantic comedies have a thin premise which is enlivened by good casting, and this is certainly thin. The title is awful, but the literary coffee shop owner could be quite a nice character. The male lead needs more work: shouldn’t he be a hedge fund manager or a crypto tech billionaire? Could be worked into something. Although some of the odd ideas need to be ironed out. Who does flashmobs anymore? Get out of the past AI. In fact, get out of our futures too, at least as far as screenwriting is concerned.

A Paul Schrader film

ChatGPT’s response:

‘Absolutely!

Title: The Ghost of Redemption

Premise:Elliot Hayes, a disillusioned middle-aged therapist, is living a life of quiet desperation in the outskirts of New York City. Once an up-and-coming star in his field, he now spends his days treating wealthy clients with superficial problems, while wrestling with his own unresolved guilt over a catastrophic mistake he made in his youth—a mistake that cost a life. His own family, including a wife he barely speaks to and a son who’s followed in his estranged footsteps, has become increasingly distant from him. As a result, Elliot drinks heavily, spirals into self-loathing, and has brief, fleeting moments of near-delusional clarity, pondering whether he deserves any kind of redemption.

The film starts with Elliot reluctantly agreeing to take on a new patient: a troubled, self-destructive young woman, Claudia, who is being tormented by the unresolved trauma of her own past—she witnessed a violent act that changed her life forever, and she’s convinced the ghost of the victim is haunting her. As she slowly unravels in his therapy sessions, Elliot begins to see eerie parallels between Claudia’s ghost and the ghost of his own guilt. There’s something unsettlingly familiar about her pain—something that seems to mirror his own.

The more time they spend together, the more Elliot finds himself drawn into her personal crisis, not just as a therapist but as a man seeking some form of absolution. He’s pushed to the edge, crossing the line between professional detachment and personal involvement, blurring the moral boundaries of his position. In his obsession with saving her, he starts to confront the terrifying possibility that Claudia might represent a chance for him to atone for his own sins—if only he can guide her to a resolution, perhaps he can free himself from the suffocating weight of his past.

But as the therapy sessions escalate, strange things begin to happen. Claudia starts to speak in ways that echo Elliot’s past, even referring to details about his life she should never have known. There’s an unsettling suggestion that Claudia is somehow connected to Elliot’s buried guilt, perhaps even a manifestation of it—one that he has created as part of his fractured psyche. As the film reaches its climax, Elliot must decide if he’s willing to face the true horror of his past, confronting the darkness that has followed him for decades, and whether he can save either himself or Claudia before it consumes them both.’

Our verdict:

9/10

To be fair, this sound banging. No wonder Schrader likes this thing, it just came up with the best Schrader film of his career! A gripping descent into flawed masculinity. Somebody make this thing now. And cut us in for a slice of the profits.