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 considerable budget of $110.0M, the film achieved a modest success 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) exhibits meticulously timed story structure, characteristic of Robert Schwentke's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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 Tris stands trial before Evelyn's kangaroo court in a fractured, chaotic Chicago where factionless now rule with iron control and revenge-driven justice.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Tris receives a message from her mother revealing that the world beyond the wall exists and Chicago is an experiment. This catalyzes their decision to escape and seek the truth.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to The group successfully crosses over the wall and discovers the toxic wasteland beyond, making the irreversible choice to venture into the unknown toward the Bureau of Genetic Welfare., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Tris discovers that David is planning to memory-wipe Chicago's population to "reset" the experiment, revealing the false victory - the Bureau is not salvation but another form of control and oppression., 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-wipe attack on Chicago; Tris realizes she was completely deceived and used. The serum is airborne and Chicago faces imminent erasure of identity - all seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Tris realizes that Caleb can release a vaccine serum to neutralize the memory-wipe, and she chooses to trust her brother despite their past. She synthesizes her understanding of both worlds to create a solution., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Allegiant's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. 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 7 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 Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Robert Schwentke analyses, see RED, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins and Insurgent.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Tris stands trial before Evelyn's kangaroo court in a fractured, chaotic Chicago where factionless now rule with iron control and revenge-driven justice.
Theme
Johanna warns that "the truth will come out" about what lies beyond the wall, establishing the film's central question about truth, manipulation, and who controls the narrative.
Worldbuilding
Chicago is revealed as a broken city under Evelyn's authoritarian rule; factions are outlawed, trials are shams, and the alliance with Johanna's people is fracturing. Tris and Four struggle with distrust and the mystery beyond the wall.
Disruption
Tris receives a message from her mother revealing that the world beyond the wall exists and Chicago is an experiment. This catalyzes their decision to escape and seek the truth.
Resistance
Tris, Four, Christina, Caleb, Tori, and Peter plan and execute their dangerous escape over the wall while evading Evelyn's forces. Tori dies in the attempt, raising the stakes of their journey.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The group successfully crosses over the wall and discovers the toxic wasteland beyond, making the irreversible choice to venture into the unknown toward the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.
Mirror World
David welcomes Tris to the Bureau, revealing the genetic experiment and declaring her "Pure" - establishing the B-story relationship that will test Tris's judgment and reveal the theme of manipulation.
Premise
Tris explores the Bureau's advanced world and is seduced by David's vision; Four is labeled "Damaged" and questions the system; tensions rise as the truth about genetic surveillance and manipulation slowly emerges.
Midpoint
Tris discovers that David is planning to memory-wipe Chicago's population to "reset" the experiment, revealing the false victory - the Bureau is not salvation but another form of control and oppression.
Opposition
David manipulates Tris while Four and the others work to expose the truth; Evelyn plans to destroy the Bureau; allegiances fracture as Caleb is used for David's plan and the memory-serum threat escalates toward deployment.
Collapse
David initiates the memory-wipe attack on Chicago; Tris realizes she was completely deceived and used. The serum is airborne and Chicago faces imminent erasure of identity - all seems lost.
Crisis
Tris grapples with her betrayal and guilt; she must decide whether to sacrifice herself or find another way to stop the memory serum from destroying everyone she loves.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tris realizes that Caleb can release a vaccine serum to neutralize the memory-wipe, and she chooses to trust her brother despite their past. She synthesizes her understanding of both worlds to create a solution.
Synthesis
Tris, Four, and allies execute a two-pronged plan: stop David's attack, release the vaccine over Chicago, and expose the Bureau's lies. Caleb redeems himself; David is defeated; truth prevails over manipulation.
Transformation
Tris and Four stand together overlooking a saved Chicago, transformed from naive believers into clear-eyed leaders who understand that true change requires vigilance against those who claim genetic or moral superiority.