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Divergent

Divergent

What makes you different makes you dangerous.

2014139 minPG-13Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
Director
Neil Burger
Starring
Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney

In a world divided into factions based on personality types, Tris learns that she's been classified as Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Divergent?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Divergent streaming on MovieSphere+ via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Divergent?

Divergent earns 10 badges, led by Cultural touchstone and Guilty pleasure.

Show 2 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Divergent worth watching?

Divergent's Midcredits score is the 66th percentile of all films, from 1.6M ratings across 6 sources. 63% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

66th percentile

Better received than 66% of films

80th percentile among Action66th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)60th
Approval (how many liked it)70th

64 /100

60th percentile of all films

76th percentile among Action60th percentile among 2010s

Critics 48 · Audience 65

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

63% liked it

70th percentile of all films

80th percentile among Action70th percentile among 2010s
63% rated it 7–1037% rated it 1–6

Critics 41% · Audience 69%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 7 wins / 11 noms overall

99th percentile

1.6M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Action99th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$85M
Opening weekend$55M
Domestic gross$151M
Worldwide gross$289M

Returned 3.4× its budget — 94th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a competent but highly derivative YA dystopian adaptation with a strong central performance.

Fans praised

  • strong lead performance by Shailene Woodley capturing Tris's growth
  • well-realized dystopian Chicago visuals and atmosphere
  • chemistry between Tris and Four feels natural

Detractors panned

  • derivative of Hunger Games and other YA dystopias
  • illogical faction system and plot holes
  • predictable plot with no surprises

What stands out

ActingDivisive72

Woodley praised as natural and convincing; detractors find performances flat

CinematographyDivisive65

well-realized dystopian Chicago visuals

AtmosphereDivisive60

immersive world but lacks urgency

CharactersDivisive55

Tris well-developed but supporting characters underdrawn

PacingDivisive45

slow first half, training sequences overlong

Plot and storyDivisive35

derivative story with illogical faction system and holes

Ending35

abrupt ending that sets up sequel

OriginalityDivisive30

heavily derivative of Hunger Games and other YA works

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 28 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 12 points higher than over-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is Divergent like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Tense and gripping: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something tense that holds you to the end.

It is intense and leaves you fired up.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Nothing out of the ordinary.

What it feels like

Tense and gripping.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Adventurous · 11% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its dystopian world and its protagonist's journey with earnest seriousness, never winking at the audience. The tone is primarily solemn and adventurous.
The rideThe film maintains a tense and thrilling atmosphere throughout, with a melancholic undertone, building to a climactic confrontation near the end.
StructureThe story follows a conventional three-act structure, from Tris's choice to join Dauntless through her initiation and the final confrontation with Erudite.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves viewers fired up by Tris's courage and the rebellion against authoritarian control, while also provoking thoughts about individuality versus societal conformity.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA young woman discovers she is Divergent, a rare individual who cannot be controlled by the faction system, and must navigate a dangerous initiation while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens to destroy the existing order.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% (this title) · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsClass · 3% of filmsSurvival
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores identity through Tris's struggle to define herself in a society that demands conformity, while also touching on class divisions between factions and the basic need to survive.
StanceThe film interrogates identity and conformity by placing Tris in a society that demands rigid categorization, questioning what it means to belong.

The world

Near futureUrbanInstitutionalScience fiction
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score · Tom Holkenborg
SettingA dystopian Chicago where society is split into five factions based on virtues.
MusicThe score blends orchestral elements with electronic textures to underscore the dystopian tension.

Content guide

Is Divergent okay for kids?

PG-13

Divergent is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (54/100), sexual content at mild (26/100), language at mild (28/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (8/100) and frightening material at moderate (55/100). Overall it is heavier than 46% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12A
  • JapanG
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Belgium14
  • BGC
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • GreeceΚ-12
  • Hong KongIIB
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • MexicoB-15
  • Netherlands12
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • SK12
  • Spain12
  • Sweden11
  • THPG-13
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 30% of all filmsHeavier than 46% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 59%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 44%
Profanity
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 16%
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 7%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 65%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is frightening material, heavier than 65% of PG-13-rated films.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Divergent have?

MovieCove's classifier found 4 depicted content warnings in Divergent: Gun violence (severe), Medical procedures (mild), Suicide (mild), plus 1 withheld here because it would spoil the plot. 1 more is mentioned only, in dialogue or backstory: Sexual violence. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

SevereGun violence
MildMedical proceduresSuicide
MentionedSexual violence

Mentioned: referenced in dialogue or backstory, not shown in the story’s present.

Cast and crew

Who is in Divergent?

Cast

1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Shailene Woodley
as Tris
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Theo James
as Four
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Ashley Judd
as Natalie
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jai Courtney
as Eric
Ray Stevenson
as Marcus
Zoë Kravitz
as Christina
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Miles Teller
as Peter
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Tony Goldwyn
as Andrew
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Ansel Elgort
as Caleb
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Maggie Q
as Tori

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Divergent?

Movies like Divergent include The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016), The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015) and Uglies (2024). Of the 12 closest matches, most are films set in the near future, and several are teen dramas.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: dystopian. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Divergent?

547 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: post apocalyptic. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.