The film is an adaptation of Veronica Roth's novel of the same name. The story unfolds in a world where society is divided into factions based on personality type. The production of 'Divergent' used numerous locations throughout Chicago to bring the dystopian world of the film to life. Most scenes were shot on the streets and in buildings of the city, while the Abnegation village was completely built on South Wells Street along the Chicago River. The interior of Tris's family home, the strict semicircular arena for the selection ceremony, the Dauntless dining hall, and various other scenes were created on the soundstages of Cinespace Film Studios.

Filming Locations:

Abnegation Village

In the Movie

Scene where the sun rises over a barren field, a rusty ship lies abandoned on the ground, hinting at a past that has been radically altered. Lake Michigan appears mostly dried up, symbolizing a world vastly different from the one we know today. We see the inhabitants of the dystopian city, divided into factions, which is evident even in their appearance and clothing.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the corner of West Harrison Street and South Wells Street, next to the Chicago River. There, the film crew was able to build 16 temporary structures that formed the Abnegation village. Although this location does not resemble its modern cinematic counterpart, it still carries the atmosphere depicted in the film.

Testing Room

In the Movie

Scene where Beatrice and her brother Caleb join other 16-year-olds at the station to take aptitude tests to determine their predisposition to certain skills. This test determines which faction they are best suited for, and this decision will shape their future.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the Equitable Building in Chicago. The filmmakers added five doorways to the building to create the setting for the aptitude test room. The Equitable Building is a neoclassical skyscraper designed in 1935 by Ernest R. Graham, with Pierce Anderson as the lead architect. Despite the cinematic transformation, the building has retained its original appearance, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of 'Divergent'.

Ceremony Hall

In the Movie

Scene where the ceremony begins; the initiates approach a table with five bowls and a knife. Each cuts their hand and lets a drop of blood fall into a bowl, symbolizing their choice of faction. Tris, to her family's surprise, chooses Dauntless, known for their warrior qualities and active lifestyle. Her brother Caleb chooses the intellectual faction Erudite.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist on East Upper Wacker Drive in Chicago. The choosing ceremony takes place in a special setting; the semicircular design of the church and minimalist aesthetic create a unique backdrop for this scene. The Christian Science Church, built in 1968, even briefly appeared in the climactic battle scene of the film 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'. The institution is still active today, allowing movie fans to visit and soak in the atmosphere of this iconic location.