Insurgent
The Divergent Series: Insurgent is the second installment in the dystopian action-adventure franchise, continuing the story of Tris Prior in a post-apocalyptic Chicago divided into distinct factions based on virtues. Tris, a 'Divergent' who possesses aptitudes for multiple factions, finds herself on the run with her allies, including Four, from the tyrannical Erudite leader Jeanine Matthews. The film explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and rebellion as Tris grapples with guilt and works to uncover the secrets behind their fractured society and a mysterious message from the city's founders. Aimed at a young adult audience, the movie builds on the intense action and complex moral dilemmas introduced in the first film, offering a narrative focused on challenging oppressive systems.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe film contains frequent and intense action violence throughout, including brutal hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, stabbings, and implied executions. While some bloody detail is present, much of the violence is presented in a sanitized manner. Disturbing dream sequences and simulations also contribute to the violent content.
Characters are subjected to execution-style killings, such as soldiers shooting tied-up individuals in the head at close range. Tris experiences harrowing simulations that force her to confront her fears and guilt, including visions of her parents lying dead, covered in blood, and her boyfriend Four with a cut throat and blood.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe film contains highly intense and frightening sequences, primarily stemming from its pervasive violence and psychological simulations. These simulations force characters to confront their deepest fears and involve harrowing, often life-threatening, imagery.
Tris is repeatedly forced into simulations that are psychologically tormenting, such as one where she must save her mother from a rapidly burning and collapsing building. Disturbing dream sequences show her parents and Four deceased, with bloodied injuries, causing her significant distress and guilt.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central, driving themes of 'Insurgent,' as Tris and other Divergents actively defy and fight against the oppressive, totalitarian faction system and its leaders. The narrative celebrates challenging established authority for the sake of freedom and truth.
Tris and Four are fugitives who actively work to undermine Jeanine Matthews' authoritarian rule and expose the secrets of the faction system. The Factionless, led by Evelyn, are depicted as a rebellious force arming themselves for an uprising against the established government, openly challenging its legitimacy and control.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumWhile not overtly featuring LGBTQ+ characters in central roles within the movie, the character of Lynn is strongly implied to be lesbian through dialogue, and the overarching theme of being 'Divergent' has been interpreted by some as an allegory for non-binary or pansexual identity, where individuals do not fit neatly into prescribed categories. The author of the book series has expressed a commitment to diversity in her writing.
Lynn, a Dauntless character, expresses her romantic love for Marlene to Uriah as she is dying, stating, 'I loved Marlene... not like that,' implying romantic feelings beyond friendship. The concept of Tris being 'Divergent,' incompatible with any single faction but possessing traits of many, is allegorically linked to pansexuality or not fitting into traditional gender binaries, where societal structures attempt to force categorization.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumThe movie includes mild sexual innuendo and implied sexual activity between the main protagonists, Tris and Four. Scenes depict passionate kissing, partial nudity (bare backs and shoulders), and suggest sexual intimacy without explicit visuals.
Tris and Four engage in passionate kissing and remove their shirts, revealing Tris's bare back. They are subsequently shown lying in bed together, naked but covered by bed sheets, implying they have engaged in sexual activity. Additionally, Tris is briefly seen naked in a shower scene, though only her bare shoulders are visible.
Profanity
MediumThe film features brief instances of strong language. This includes one muffled use of a strong sexual expletive, along with infrequent uses of scatological slang and other mild profanities.
One instance of a muffled 'f-word' is heard (described as 'fu..') during dialogue. Other examples of profanity include multiple uses of 's***' and 'bitch'.
Substance Use
MediumThe movie depicts characters being involuntarily injected with various serums, including truth serum, tranquilizer implants, and knockout drugs, which alter their mental and physical states. There is also a brief, incidental mention of alcoholic beverages.
Tris and Four are injected with a truth serum, which is shown to cause significant pain if they resist telling the truth during interrogation. Characters are also shot with tranquilizer implants to incapacitate them, and a young woman is injected with a knockout drug by Jeanine's soldiers.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumWhile the author is Christian and themes like sacrifice and forgiveness are present, the film portrays these concepts within a secular context, where self-forgiveness is sought in the absence of a divine presence. Although there are no overt anti-Christian messages, the narrative does not explicitly align with Christian theological frameworks for sin and redemption.
The movie explores forgiveness, but review outlets note that 'self-forgiveness becomes an option because God is absent' within the film's depicted world. The phrase 'the truth will set you free,' a quote recognized by Christians as being from Scripture, is used by Candor leader Jack Kang in a secular context when administering truth serum, focusing on factual confession rather than spiritual liberation.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere are no explicit themes of witchcraft, sorcery, occult practices, magic rituals, demons, or supernatural elements in 'Insurgent.' The 'simulations' that characters undergo are technologically induced virtual reality experiences, not magical in nature.
The simulations experienced by Tris and other Divergents are presented as advanced technological constructs, induced by serum injections, rather than supernatural spells or occult practices. The mysterious box central to the plot is a technological device designed to be opened by a highly Divergent individual, not a magical artifact.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The Divergent Series: Insurgent is rated PG-13 by the MPAA, and due to its intense and pervasive violence, implied sexual content, and mature thematic elements, a recommendation for ages 14+ is appropriate. Younger teenagers may find the graphic violence, disturbing simulations, and complex moral dilemmas challenging without significant parental guidance.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that 'Insurgent' is notably more intense than its predecessor, 'Divergent,' with increased stakes and darker emotional themes. The psychological nature of many intense scenes, particularly those involving simulations, may be particularly impactful for sensitive viewers. The implied sexual content and moderate language also warrant consideration for younger audiences.
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