In the post-“Twilight” era, the folks behind various up-and-coming contenders for the YA crown have often had to field questions that inevitably draw comparisons to the vampire/werewolf/human love story that kicked off a phenomenon. And for the most part, those queries lead to answers focused on underscoring the differences, and how one world-in-the-balance-movie-with-teens differs from another world-in-the-balance-movie-with-teens. But Shailene Woodley has made it pretty unequivocal that “Divergent” might be better for your overall mental health than anything Bella, Edward and Jacob served up.
“ ‘Twilight,’ I’m sorry, is about a very unhealthy, toxic relationship. She falls in love with this guy and the second he leaves her, her life is over and she’s going to kill herself,” Woodley told Teen Vogue. “What message are we sending to young people? That is not going to help this world evolve.” Zing.
Indeed, Woodley is pleased her film touches upon current issues including a surveillance society and genetically modified foods, but moreover she plays a character who seems openly willing to kick ass for what’s right.
So Twihards, did Woodley go too far? Sound off below, but before that, here’s there new clips from “Divergent,” which opens on March 21st.