Allegiant
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
Working with a significant budget of $110.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $179.2M in global revenue (+63% profit margin).
3 wins & 12 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Allegiant (2016) reveals precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Robert Schwentke's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 10-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Beatrice "Tris" Prior
Tobias "Four" Eaton
David
Caleb Prior
Christina
Peter Hayes
Evelyn Johnson-Eaton
Johanna Reyes
Main Cast & Characters
Beatrice "Tris" Prior
Played by Shailene Woodley
A Divergent who ventures beyond the wall to discover the truth about their world and the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.
Tobias "Four" Eaton
Played by Theo James
Tris's boyfriend and fellow Divergent who struggles with trust issues when they encounter the Bureau.
David
Played by Jeff Daniels
The charismatic director of the Bureau of Genetic Welfare who manipulates Tris while pursuing his own agenda.
Caleb Prior
Played by Ansel Elgort
Tris's brother seeking redemption for his betrayal while working with the Bureau.
Christina
Played by Zoë Kravitz
Tris's loyal friend from Dauntless who accompanies her beyond the wall.
Peter Hayes
Played by Miles Teller
A former antagonist who becomes an uneasy ally in the mission beyond the wall.
Evelyn Johnson-Eaton
Played by Naomi Watts
Four's mother and leader of the Factionless who seeks to maintain control of Chicago.
Johanna Reyes
Played by Octavia Spencer
Former Amity leader who becomes aligned with the Allegiant resistance movement.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Chicago in chaos after Evelyn's factionless takeover. Tris witnesses public trials and executions of former faction leaders, establishing the oppressive new order.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
At 61 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Four infiltrates Chicago on a mission and discovers the Bureau has been manipulating events. He learns he's classified as "Damaged" and that David's vision of genetic purity mirrors the faction prejudice they escaped. False victory collapses., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, David initiates the memory gas attack on Chicago. Tris realizes her trust in the Bureau was misplaced and that she's enabled genocide. Evelyn prepares to execute all Allegiant prisoners, including Four's father. Total moral collapse., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tris infiltrates the weapons vault and confronts David. Four and Evelyn work together to stop the gas release and unite Chicago. The team defeats the Bureau's plan through combined sacrifice and trust, rejecting genetic hierarchy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Allegiant's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 10 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Allegiant against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Schwentke utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Allegiant within the action genre.
Robert Schwentke's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Robert Schwentke films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Allegiant takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Schwentke filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Schwentke analyses, see Flightplan, Insurgent and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Chicago in chaos after Evelyn's factionless takeover. Tris witnesses public trials and executions of former faction leaders, establishing the oppressive new order.
Theme
Johanna speaks about the wall and what lies beyond: "The truth is out there." The film's central question about truth versus comfortable lies is introduced.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of post-faction Chicago under Evelyn's authoritarian rule. Tris, Four, and allies navigate the show trials while learning about Edith Prior's message and the world beyond the wall.
Resistance
Tris, Four, Christina, Tori, Peter, and Caleb plan and execute their dangerous escape over the wall. They debate whether the outside world is safe or toxic, preparing for the unknown.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Tris explores the Bureau's high-tech world and embraces her "Pure" status. She and Four discover the surveillance state monitoring Chicago, witness the genetic classification system, and begin to see cracks in David's utopia.
Midpoint
Four infiltrates Chicago on a mission and discovers the Bureau has been manipulating events. He learns he's classified as "Damaged" and that David's vision of genetic purity mirrors the faction prejudice they escaped. False victory collapses.
Opposition
Tris and Four's relationship fractures over her trust in David versus his distrust. David reveals his plan to "reset" Chicago with memory-erasing gas, killing those who resist. The Bureau's true authoritarian nature emerges.
Collapse
David initiates the memory gas attack on Chicago. Tris realizes her trust in the Bureau was misplaced and that she's enabled genocide. Evelyn prepares to execute all Allegiant prisoners, including Four's father. Total moral collapse.
Crisis
Tris confronts her culpability and chooses action. She reconciles with Four and they unite their allies. Dark night transforms into determination to stop David and save both Chicago and the Fringe.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Tris infiltrates the weapons vault and confronts David. Four and Evelyn work together to stop the gas release and unite Chicago. The team defeats the Bureau's plan through combined sacrifice and trust, rejecting genetic hierarchy.