Everything You Need to Know to Watch "Divergent"

For those too lazy to read the original novel before the film premieres on Friday.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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This Friday, director Neil Burger's long-awaited adaptation of Veronica Roth's best-selling novel Divergent finally hits theaters. While you may know the film solely as “that movie with that girl from ABC Family’s show about a pregnant teenager,” there’s actually much more to the story. Sort of like (its bound-to-be-compared-to nemesis) The Hunger Games, Divergent takes place in the far-off future, in the barely recognizable Chicago. War had almost destroyed the world, so the government sought to eradicate the traits that led to the fighting. Thus, the idea of a faction was born, and Chicago was divided into five of them, each prizing one trait above all, such as selflessness, courage, and kindness.

In this future, a girl named Beatrice Prior, a.k.a Tris (Shailene Woodley), must decide which faction she belongs to on Choosing Day, when each 16-year-old boy and girl chooses to either remain with the one he or she was born into, or leave it behind forever and choose a new group. Problems arise when Tris learns she isn’t just fit for one faction, but three, making her Divergent.

In a world where factions are the very crux of the government, Divergents threaten the system. They cannot be easily controlled. To hide her secret, Tris joins the Dauntless faction, and soon finds herself learning how to fire guns and throw punches, preparing her for a battle she doesn’t even know she’ll have to fight. Along the way she meets the Dauntless instructor Four (Theo James), and learns she may not be the only one hiding a secret.

And those are just the basics. Read on for everything you need to know to watch Divergent.

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The Five Factions

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The Main Characters

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Tris (Shailene Woodley)

An Abnegation her whole life, Tris shocks everyone when she chooses to join Dauntless. Small and unsteady on her feet, Tris must reinvent herself and prove she is one of them. But even if the Dauntless accept Tris as one of their own, she must still hide the truth that she is Divergent and a threat to the faction system. Or else.

Four (Theo James)

Four is a Dauntless instructor who is definitely into his new trainee, Tris. More level-headed than the average Dauntless, Four recognizes that courage is a force to be used for good and disapproves of reckless, arrogant behavior. He specializes in knife throwing and looking sexy while scowling.

Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet)

The leader of the Erudite, Jeanine takes her job very seriously, perhaps too much so. She’s so set on maintaining the faction system that she isn’t above mass murder to get her way. Don’t let the sleek, Rose Dewitt Bukater face fool you—if you jump, she’s actually the one pushing you.

Eric (Jai Courtney)

Ruthless and sadistic, Eric is a Dauntless leader bent on proving his superiority to Four. He isn’t impressed by courage so much as unrelenting brutality. Possibly an ally of Jeanine Matthews, he is not to be trusted.

Caleb Prior (Ansel Elgort)

Tris’ brother seems like the perfect Abnegation, but there’s something brewing beneath the surface. Like betrayal. Watch out for this kid.

Natalie Prior (Ashley Judd)

Tris’ mom is kind, loving, and Tris’ hero. Although a member of Abnegation, the most unassuming and reserved faction, she is a mysterious sort who may have more to her than meets the eye.

Andrew Prior (Tony Goldwyn)

Tris’ dad is sometimes outspoken and temperamental, suggesting he wasn’t always in Abnegation. Wait, though, isn’t that the President? Why, yes, yes it is. Fitz took a break from Olivia Poping to play an actual loyal and devoted husband. You go, Fitz!

Tori (Maggie Q.)

Tori is like that cool older sister you wish you’d had growing up to give you advice about life. She helps Tris realize her Divergent identity, but also helps her hide it. Don’t let her image fool you—there’s a rebellious soul there. She is in Dauntless after all.

Christina (Zoe Kravitz)

A fellow Dauntless initiate, Christina is every girl’s biffle. She’s the type you want in your corner. Supportive, tenacious, and a little bit of a spitfire, Christina is a ride-or-die chick.

Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes)

Ah, the all-around nice boy next door. Which never bodes well in war. Take that how you'd like.

Al (Christian Madsen)

Don’t let his hulking beefcake-ness fool you. This big guy is one soft teddy bear. However, even softies have their breaking points.

Peter (Miles Teller)

Dude's the biggest bully there is. Peter will do anything it takes to get his way, no matter who he hurts. Actually, if he has to hurt someone to do it, he’s probably very happy about it. Don’t let him near butter knives.

Molly (Amy Newbold)

Molly enjoys scaring those around her into submission. Compassion isn’t really one of her M.O.’s, but laughing as you fall is.

Max (Mekhi Phifer)

Before Max arrived, the Dauntless faction emphasized courage for the greater good. When Max became a leader, however, he worked to make Dauntless into the most competitive and brutal faction, encouraging questionable tactics to weed out the weak or sympathetic. His hunger for power has led him to ally with dangerous forces.

Marcus (Ray Stevenson)

As an influential leader of the Abnegation, Marcus’ job is to serve others. But under the veil of selflessness, he hides a dark secret that threatens to destroy his reputation.

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