The third film in the Divergent series, Allegiant, saw Tris Prior and her allies venture beyond the walled city of Chicago to uncover the truth behind the faction system and its origins, only to discover a far more complex and ethically troubling landscape than they could have imagined. Ultimately, Allegiant portrays a society built on flawed experiments and highlights the dangerous consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.
Beyond the Walls: A New World of Secrets
Allegiant picks up immediately after the events of Insurgent. With the corrupt Jeanine Matthews defeated, Chicago teeters on the brink of chaos. Evelyn Johnson-Eaton, leader of the Factionless, has seized control, promising equality but ruling with an iron fist. Tris Prior, Tobias “Four” Eaton, Caleb Prior, Peter Hayes, and Christina, disillusioned by the faction system and Evelyn’s tyrannical rule, choose to escape the city and venture into the unknown based on a message discovered at the end of Insurgent.
Discovering the Bureau of Genetic Welfare
Outside the walls, they encounter a heavily fortified and technologically advanced facility known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare, led by David. David explains that Chicago was established as a controlled experiment generations ago, aimed at reversing genetic damage caused by a series of “Genetic Wars.” He claims that Divergent individuals, like Tris, are genetically “Pure” and represent the hope for humanity’s future.
The Truth Behind Divergence
However, the Bureau’s intentions are far from noble. Tris discovers that Divergents are being manipulated and used as pawns in David’s grand scheme. He believes that only genetically Pure individuals are worthy of leadership and control, while those deemed genetically Damaged should be relegated to a subservient role. The Bureau monitors and manipulates the populations in walled cities across the world, believing they can orchestrate the “perfect” society.
The Moral Dilemma
The revelation of the Bureau’s motives forces Tris to confront a difficult moral dilemma. She is celebrated as a hero, a genetically Pure individual destined for greatness, but she witnesses the Bureau’s unethical treatment of the genetically Damaged and recognizes the inherent flaws in their discriminatory system. This realization fuels her determination to fight against the Bureau and expose their lies.
The Battle for Genetic Integrity
The climax of Allegiant involves a confrontation between Tris and David as she attempts to disrupt his plan to reset the Chicago experiment, a process that would erase everyone’s memories. Tris, with the help of Four and her allies, infiltrates the Bureau and confronts David. A fierce battle ensues, resulting in Tris sacrificing herself to deploy the memory serum intended for the entire population of Chicago on David and the rest of the Bureau. This prevents them from wiping the memories of the citizens of Chicago and potentially repeating the experiment. Her actions expose the Bureau’s machinations and leave the future of humanity hanging in the balance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Allegiant
Here are some commonly asked questions about the events of the film Allegiant, offering further insight into its plot and themes:
H2 Allegiant FAQs
H3 What does “Allegiant” actually mean in the context of the movie?
The title “Allegiant” refers to the shifting allegiances and loyalties explored throughout the film. It highlights the characters’ struggles to reconcile their loyalty to their friends, their factions (which have now crumbled), and their own moral compasses as they navigate the complex and deceitful world beyond the walls of Chicago. The core theme centers around to whom, and to what, are you truly loyal?
H3 Why did the characters decide to leave Chicago?
The characters left Chicago primarily because they were disillusioned with Evelyn’s leadership and the overall state of chaos in the city. They were drawn by the message they discovered at the end of Insurgent, promising a world beyond the walls and answers to the questions about the purpose of the factions. They were seeking the truth about their origins and the future of their society.
H3 What is the significance of being “Divergent” in the world of Allegiant?
In Allegiant, the significance of Divergence evolves. Initially, Divergence is presented as a sign of genetic purity, indicating a resistance to genetic damage and making someone a potentially valuable asset to the Bureau. However, the film ultimately reveals that Divergence is also a threat to the Bureau’s control, as Divergent individuals are more likely to question authority and resist manipulation. It represents the ability to think independently and resist conformity.
H3 Who is David, and what are his motivations?
David is the leader of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. His motivations are rooted in his belief that he is working to restore humanity to its former genetic purity. He believes that the Bureau is justified in manipulating and controlling populations to achieve this goal, even if it means sacrificing individual freedom and ethical considerations. He views himself as a benevolent dictator, acting in the best interest of humanity.
H3 What is the purpose of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare?
The Bureau of Genetic Welfare’s stated purpose is to reverse genetic damage caused by the Genetic Wars and restore humanity to its “Pure” state. They established walled cities like Chicago as controlled experiments to study and manipulate genetic traits. However, their true agenda is to maintain control and power, believing that only the genetically Pure are fit to rule. The bureau is essentially engaging in genetic eugenics on a global scale.
H3 Why does Tris sacrifice herself at the end of the movie?
Tris sacrifices herself to deploy the memory serum on David and the Bureau. She realizes that their plan to reset the Chicago experiment would perpetuate the cycle of manipulation and control. By sacrificing herself, she exposes the Bureau’s lies and gives the people of Chicago a chance to forge their own future, free from genetic manipulation and controlled memories. Her sacrifice is the ultimate act of rebellion and selflessness.
H3 What is the “Genetic Damage” that the Bureau is so concerned about?
The “Genetic Damage” that the Bureau refers to is the result of a series of wars in the distant past, causing genetic mutations and imperfections in the human population. The Bureau believes that these mutations have led to social unrest, violence, and the breakdown of civilization. In reality, this genetic “damage” might just be the diversity and variation inherent in a healthy population.
H3 What is the significance of the memory serum in Allegiant?
The memory serum is a crucial plot device in Allegiant. It represents the Bureau’s ultimate tool for control. By wiping the memories of the population, they can effectively reset the experiment and ensure continued obedience. The threat of memory erasure underscores the importance of individual identity and historical awareness.
H3 How does Allegiant differ from the book of the same name?
Allegiant deviates significantly from the book, particularly in Tris’s fate. In the book, Tris dies administering the serum, not preventing its deployment. The film alters this to have her directly sacrificing herself to ensure the Bureau’s destruction. This change was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some feeling it diminished the impact of Tris’s death.
H3 What happens to Four after Tris’s death?
While the film ends somewhat abruptly after Tris’s death, it’s implied that Four continues to fight for the freedom of Chicago and the exposure of the Bureau’s actions. He likely dedicates himself to honoring Tris’s memory and ensuring that her sacrifice was not in vain. The book provides more detail, showing him working to rebuild Chicago and confront his grief.
H3 What is the ultimate message of Allegiant?
The ultimate message of Allegiant is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition and the importance of individual freedom and moral responsibility. It emphasizes the need to question authority, resist manipulation, and fight for a just and equitable society, even in the face of overwhelming power. It’s a call to action against oppressive systems and a celebration of human resilience.
H3 Why was there no fourth Divergent movie (Ascendant) released in theaters?
The planned fourth film, Ascendant, was originally intended to be released in theaters but was ultimately cancelled due to the poor critical and commercial reception of Allegiant. Lionsgate then announced plans to develop a television series based on the Divergent universe, but that project also ultimately fell through. This cancellation underscored the risks associated with adapting popular book series and the importance of maintaining a consistent quality across installments.