The film is more interesting than the average bad movie precisely because it so gratuitously, and even thematically, fails to fit together.

This is a rite-of-passage film, with action, romance and self-realization woven in. But unlike some others of this genre, Divergent is thought-provoking teen sci-fi.

... Divergent, despite multiple claims otherwise, tries to capture the format of The Hunger Games but completely phones in almost each element.

Unfortunately, [director Neil Burger] succeeds despite the screenwriting by Vanessa Taylor and Evan Daugherty, and not because of it.