Teenagers and adults, say hello to a new adventure that will take you back to the moments that shaped your life. There’s action, adventure, romance, friendship, and family. All of the factors that usually contribute big decision-making.

Divergent is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a dystopian world, where people are divided into ‘distinct factions based on human virtues’. If someone does not belong in a particular group, then they are considered Divergent and therefore must be eliminated. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is one of the few divergent’s and must choose one of the factions (abnegation, dauntless, erudite, candor or amity) without revealing to anyone who she really is. Author Veronica Roth talked about the character’s journey and said she specifically chose the age 16 as the decision moment because that’s how it happened for her.  “It’s more of an emotional reality for young people than an actual reality… When I was 16 I felt like I had to decide ‘right now’, you know, figure out what classes you’re gonna take, make sure you get good grades, prepare your college applications, you know, pick your major, and plan your whole life. That felt very real to me so I wanted it to be on the page.” Veronica, who is very trustworthy of the team adapting her project said, “I had a lot of trust with them… and it seems like that trust was well founded since I loved the movie”.

What makes this film so different from other dystopian films is that it was mostly shot on location and using practical sets. When asked why not CGI, producer Douglas Wick said “Neil from the beginning made an impassioned argument that he had to shoot in a real place or it would feel like another computer world.” Director Neil Burger added “I thought well, how do we make this movie, one-different and two-because it is so much about human nature… how do we make the setting real? One solution will solve both of the problems, we shoot it in the real place.”

While the locations and the sets are real, these are not the only elements that make this film unique. The cast adds a lot of hype as the actors already have their own fans grouped and classified. Miles Teller who plays Peter, one of the dauntless members, proudly tells us his fans are calling themselves “Peter’s Princesses.” On the other hand, Maggie Q. who plays Tori, a longtime dauntless member, confessed that if she had to choose a faction she’d choose dauntless. “Who doesn’t want to celebrate the recklessness and not feel like… something that you have to hide or repress. I think there’s a reckless side to all of us and it’s a faction dedicated to represent that side of your personality that doesn’t want any consequence.”

While dauntless is in fact an adventure, it’s not all celebration. The reality is if you’re seeking safety, abnegation seems like your best option. At sixteen, these kids are faced with a choice that will affect the rest of their lives. While it’s difficult for the children, it may be even more difficult for the parents. Long time director, actor and producer Tony Goldwyn, who plays Andrew Prior, told us about his experience on playing Tris’ father. “One of the reasons I really connected to Veronica’s book was because it resonates with both young adult readers and adults as well. Because I have young daughters, actually Tris’s age, so the idea of being separated from my kids for life is my worst nightmare.”

Similarly, Shailene Woodley commented on how she and her character Tris are very much alike. “I felt like when I was her age, I was sort of going through the struggle…  how do I balance being empathetic and being compassionate towards my peers? And also living my life for my self and not basing my decisions on those around and really live a life that I receive my happiness from my own experience, rather than by people pleasing.”

On the other end is British actor Theo James who plays Four, the leading man and an important member of dauntless. James talked about the thrill of working in this film and with the cast. He also explained his personal connection to his character. “To me, I think we shared certain qualities… For me I loved this person who you don’t really know what he’s thinking… he’s the type of person that walks into a room and don’t need to be the loudest person but you still feel his presence. He’s a very perceptive person but doesn’t have to speak too much… I love masculine characters who don’t have to be kind of, you know shouting in someone’s face and kind of wielding their masculinity away… That’s one of my favorite parts of this character.”

While we didn’t get a chance to speak to both veteran actress Ashley Judd (Natalie Prior) and Academy Award winning actress Kate Winslet (Jeanine Matthews), Shailene Woodley shared her experience on working with these talented women.  “One thing that I thought was so neat about them is that they’re both so empowered. Like they’re both women. They’re like a woman among women, and strong and live their life with integrity.” Seems like Hollywood can’t get enough of what seems to be a new generation of females, i.e. powerful, strong, and adventure seekers.

Although Divergent ends with a “leaves you wanting more” moment, the franchise has more to follow. Meanwhile, catch up with the books Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant (if you haven’t done so already), which altogether have surpassed over 11 million copies sold.

Divergent opens in theaters Friday, March 21^st, 2014.