Society is divided into five factions: Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (truthful), Erudite (intelligent) and Dauntless (brave), based on their personalities. Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) is in Abnegation, the faction that looks after the poor and the factionless, as well as running the government; though she has always been fascinated by Dauntless. Her father, Andrew (Tony Goldwyn) serves on the ruling council along with the head of Abnegation, Marcus Eaton (Ray Stevenson).
Young citizens are tested using a serum to indicate which faction they should choose, but Beatrice is told that she has the attributes of several factions, which means that she is Divergent. Since those who are Divergent can think independently and the government can't conform their thinking, they are considered threats to the social order. Beatrice's test proctor Tori (Maggie Q) warns her that she must keep her true test results a secret.

The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic version of Chicago where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Beatrice Prior is warned that she is Divergent will never fit into anyone of the factions and soon learns a sinister plot brewing in her seemingly perfect society. The film was released on March 21, 2014 in the United States.