Social media audiences have discovered that the horror film Together has been altered for its release in China. In the new version, a gay wedding scene was digitally manipulated with artificial intelligence to depict a straight couple instead. The change has ignited controversy online, where images comparing the two versions have circulated widely and sparked debate about censorship, human rights, and the use of generative AI in filmmaking.
The edit does more than alter a brief moment of representation. The wedding scene plays a pivotal role in the film’s character development, the unfolding of its horror, and the overall narrative. By reshaping the sequence into a heterosexual marriage, this new cut fundamentally alters the film’s context and undermines the creative choices of its filmmakers.
The Chinese distributor abruptly delayed Together’s wide release one day before it was scheduled to premiere, suggesting possible hesitation or reevaluation in response to the backlash. While censorship of LGBTQ+ content in Chinese media has a long and well-documented history, this case highlights a significant new approach: the use of AI not to remove, but to replace. This was first reported on by queer news publication Out.
Take a look at the before and after images of the Together censorship here:
This digital rewriting raises broader concerns about how emerging technologies might be used to suppress marginalized identities and reshape narratives to fit state or market demands. Unlike a traditional cut, which is at least visible to audiences as an omission, AI-driven alterations attempt to present an alternate reality as though it were always the original.
As of now, the filmmakers, producers, and studios involved have not issued any comment on the situation. But the controversy underscores both the precariousness of queer visibility in global media and the potential for new tools like generative AI to accelerate erasure.
In our 4-star review of the film, we wrote, “Together is a gruesome yet thought-provoking exploration of co-dependency bolstered by stellar performances from Allison Brie and Dave Franco.” Part of what made the film so fascinating to begin with was its inventive and respectful use of queerness within its horror. Unfortunately, for many viewers, this will no longer be the case.
The incident leaves open pressing questions about authorship, accountability, and the future of representation in international film.
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