Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Divergent is the movie equivalent of that trendy thing from 2014 that everyone was into but now feels... well, very 2014. It's not terrible—there's a decent message about being yourself and not letting society box you in—but it's also not particularly special in hindsight.

The violence is more intense than some parents expect from a YA adaptation. We're talking guns, knife-throwing at people, a parent getting shot, attempted suicide, and a whole genocide plot. It's PG-13 violence, sure, but it's sustained throughout the 140-minute runtime (which, honestly, feels long).

The bigger issue is that this hasn't aged well. The faction system that seemed clever in 2014 now feels like a less interesting version of every other dystopian world-building exercise from that era. Kids today who've grown up with more sophisticated storytelling might find it slow and predictable.

If your teen loved the books or is really into dystopian stuff, fine. But if you're looking for quality YA content that holds up, there are better options that don't require 140 minutes of your life.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-16 who are into dystopian YA and can handle action violence and darker themes. Younger tweens will find it too intense; older teens will likely find it dated and derivative.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

58

Features themes of identity and choosing your own path, but the faction system is inherently divisive and judgmental. The romance subplot between Tris and Four is reasonably healthy, though there's a power dynamic (he's her instructor). Violence is prevalent throughout—fights, simulations, and a plot to destroy an entire group of people. The pacing is action-heavy with limited quiet moments for emotional processing. Models some bravery and loyalty, but also glorifies combat skills and physical dominance as survival tools.

Imaginative

62

The faction-based dystopian world (Abnegation, Dauntless, Candor, Amity, Erudite) is a moderately interesting concept exploring personality types and societal roles. However, by 2014 this was already well-trodden YA dystopia territory post-Hunger Games. The 'Divergent' concept—not fitting into boxes—has some creative merit but isn't deeply explored. Mostly derivative of the dystopian wave rather than groundbreaking. Doesn't particularly invite creative expression or building; it's a consume-and-move-on narrative experience.

Safe

55

PG-13 territory with significant action violence including fistfights, knife-throwing at people, gun violence, and characters being shot. A parent is shot on-screen (though not graphically). Simulations include disturbing scenarios like drowning and being attacked by birds. A character attempts suicide by stepping off a ledge (interrupted). The threat of genocide against Divergents creates ongoing tension. Brief romance/kissing but nothing sexual. No gore or nudity, but the violence and dark themes (mind control, planned mass murder) are more intense than many families expect from YA adaptations. Not shocking for teens familiar with the genre, but definitely not for younger kids.

Enriching

54

Explores themes of identity, conformity vs. individuality, and questioning authority—all valuable for teen development. The 'choosing your own path' message has merit. However, the execution is surface-level; the faction system is more plot device than meaningful exploration of human nature. Tris shows courage and agency, which is positive modeling. The 140-minute runtime drags in places, and the entertainment value is middling—it's watchable but not particularly compelling. Offers some discussion fodder about societal expectations and being true to yourself, but doesn't dig deep enough to be truly thought-provoking.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Strong female protagonist who makes her own choices and doesn't wait to be rescued
Explores the 'don't let others define you' theme that resonates with teens figuring out their identity
The faction system can spark interesting conversations about labels, stereotypes, and societal expectations
Action-packed enough to keep teens engaged who like the dystopian genre

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What to Watch For

Quite a bit of violence—fistfights, knife-throwing, guns, and characters being shot (including a parent)
A character attempts to jump off a ledge (suicide attempt, though interrupted)
Dark themes of mind control and planned genocide that create sustained tension
At 140 minutes, it's long and drags in the middle—not exactly a tight, gripping watch
Very much a product of the 2010s YA dystopia wave; feels dated compared to more recent teen content

Conversation Starters

"If you had to choose one of those factions, which would you pick? Do you think people can really be sorted into categories like that?"
"Tris is told she's 'Divergent' and doesn't fit in one box. Have you ever felt like you don't fit into the labels people give you?"
"The government wants to eliminate Divergents because they're 'dangerous.' Why do you think people in power are sometimes threatened by people who think differently?"
"What did you think about the relationship between Tris and Four? Was it healthy or were there any red flags?"

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