AI Technology Used to Transform Gay Couple into Straight Couple in Australian Horror Film "Together" for Chinese Release

Chinese audiences have discovered that an Australian horror film titled 'Together' has been significantly altered using AI technology for its mainland China release. The film, starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, had a same-sex wedding scene digitally manipulated, prompting widespread viewer backlash.

Directed by Michael Shanks, this supernatural body horror follows a couple relocating to the countryside where they encounter a mysterious force affecting their physical bodies and relationship. The controversy arose when Chinese viewers noticed that in a wedding scene, a male character's face had been digitally replaced with a female face, effectively changing a gay couple into a heterosexual one.

The alterations came to light after advance screenings on September 12, with side-by-side comparison screenshots quickly circulating across Chinese social media platforms. Beyond the wedding scene modification, viewers also identified changes to intimate sequences, including additional digital steam added to a shower scene to conceal the male lead's nudity.

The editing choices sparked immediate criticism from Chinese moviegoers. One viewer condemned the changes as "disrespectful to the LGBT community" while another expressed frustration that "they want our money but won't show us the complete version." Many felt the AI face-swapping technique fundamentally altered the filmmaker's creative vision.

Another upset viewer commented that the edits not only changed the plot but disrespected the actor's portrayed sexual orientation, calling the practice "disgusting." Following this public outcry, the film's Chinese distributor cancelled its scheduled wide release just one day before its planned debut, citing "adjustments to the film's distribution strategy" without providing a new release date.

Despite the controversy in China, the film maintains a strong 90% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. When questioned about the edits and potential AI usage, China's Film Administration did not respond to inquiries.

While homosexuality is decriminalized in China, it remains heavily stigmatized in a society that prioritizes heterosexual nuclear families as the cultural ideal. Urban centers like Beijing and Shanghai host more visible LGBTQ+ communities with pride events and gay establishments, though large-scale pride parades face restrictions. Rural areas tend to maintain more conservative attitudes, with significant family pressure for traditional marriages.

LGBTQ+ media representation has increased in recent years but continually faces censorship challenges. Same-sex relationships rarely appear in mainstream Chinese entertainment. In 2021, China's television authority instituted a ban on "sissy men" in media, reflecting the government's push toward traditional gender norms and social conformity.

This incident joins a pattern of Western film modifications for Chinese distribution, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ content. Previous examples include the 2019 editing of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to remove references to Freddie Mercury's sexuality, Warner Bros. cutting dialogue about a gay relationship from a Harry Potter film in 2022, and Chinese streaming platforms removing references to a lesbian character in the popular American sitcom "Friends."