Outrage over AI-edited gay wedding in film Together for Chinese audiences

An AI-assisted edit of a scene in the horror film Together has sparked outrage after a same-sex wedding was altered to appear heterosexual for the Chinese edition, prompting accusations of censorship and manipulation of artistic content.

The film, which stars real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, had earned critical acclaim in the United States and began a limited release in China on Sept. 12. On Chinese social media, moviegoers noted a scene featuring a wedding between two men or two women had been altered to depict a straight couple. Taiwanese commentator Angelica Oung posted a screenshot and criticized the edit, saying it made the film harder to follow and that the change could have been handled differently, such as through ratings or alternative edits. The controversy quickly drew attention from fans and international observers alike.

NEON, the film’s global distributor, condemned the unauthorised edit conducted by Chinese distributor Hishow and demanded that the altered version cease circulating. In a statement provided to Deadline, Neon said it did not approve the edit and called for an immediate halt to distribution of the modified cut. The Guardian later reported that the broader Chinese release was pulled in response to backlash from LGBTQ-rights groups and other audiences, underscoring the sensitivity of such content in China’s cinema ecosystem.

The episode follows a long history of cinematic edits, bans and self-censorship tied to China’s censors. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997, but social stigma persists and state oversight over film and television remains pervasive. The past decades have seen major Hollywood titles trimmed or altered to suit Chinese standards. For example, Bohemian Rhapsody faced restrictions around portraying Freddie Mercury’s sexuality, while Men in Black 3 changed a scene involving Chinese workers and Captain Sao Feng’s role in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was heavily edited due to concerns about negative depictions of China. In another high-profile case, Sony Pictures reportedly rejected a government demand to remove scenes featuring the Statue of Liberty from Spider-Man: No Way Home, opting to minimize the imagery instead after talks with Chinese officials, according to reports cited by Puck.

In 2016, China issued a set of guidelines for television that discouraged gay storylines or content deemed overly sexual or immoral, signaling a broad cultural gatekeeping that has continued to shape the reception of LGBTQ content in cinemas and on screens. The Together controversy reflects that ongoing tension between creative expression and the authorities’ expectations, as well as the potential impact on foreign films seeking access to one of the world’s largest movie markets.

Industry observers say the incident could influence how studios approach licensing and localization for China, where distributors often balance commercial goals with political and social sensitivities. While fans advocate for inclusive storytelling, others worry about the precedent such edits could set for future releases. As the debate over LGBTQ representation persists globally, the Chinese market remains a focal point where artistic choices frequently collide with policy constraints and market realities.