Receiving low ratings from critics but high ratings from audience members, movie-goers are going into Divergent with skepticism but will be leaving with exceeded expectations.

Based on the first book in a trilogy by Veronica Roth, Divergent follows Tris (Shailene Woodley), a young woman about to make a choice between her family and herself. Set in a dystopian Chicago, civilization is split into five different groups, or factions, based on what they value- Erudite (the intelligent), Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), and Dauntless (the brave). Tris is born into Abnegation, and when she is sixteen, she must undergo an aptitude test that will tell her which one faction she is suited for- but she gets three. This makes her divergent, and this makes her dangerous.

When Tris decides to defect from Abnegation and chooses Dauntless, her and the other Dauntless initiates must train in order to be accepted into their new faction. There she meets Four (Theo James), who is her guarded instructor with a soft spot for her. Throughout the film Tris has to hide from Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), the leader of the Erudite, and other faction leaders who are hunting the divergents and plotting to overthrow the Abnegation government.

Unlike many other book adaptations, Divergent manages to put all of the book’s themes of selflessness, bravery, self-discovery, and humanity into the movie beautifully with the help of James and Woodley’s acting and a few voice overs from Tris, which- don’t worry-, actually work well.

With stunning cinematography and special effects of a decaying Chicago, good pace that keeps the movie moving and audience members interested, fairly strict adherence to Roth’s novel, and fantastic acting from a relatively young and fresh cast, Divergent will please those who are fans of the book and those who are simply intrigued by the previews. It may be mainly aimed at young adult audiences, but Divergent will have something for everyone, and it will show that it isn’t just a new Hunger Games but a deserving and promising film franchise all on its own.