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Vital Signs

Vital Signs

During one incredible year, seven friends discover that love is alive and well and living in the 90's.

1990103 minRMidcredits score: 28th percentile of all films
Director
Marisa Silver
Starring
Adrian Pasdar, Diane Lane, Laura San Giacomo, Jack Gwaltney

As they enter their third year of medical school, a group of young students must prepare to decide what they intend to specialize in. Somehow, they must impress the Chief of Surgery while learning how to survive the life-and-death area of medicine and the complexity of their everyday lives.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Vital Signs?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list Vital Signs on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Vital Signs?

Vital Signs earns 1 badge: Hopeful.

Reception

Is Vital Signs worth watching?

Vital Signs' Midcredits score is the 28th percentile of all films, from 1.2K ratings across 4 sources. 31% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

28th percentile

Better received than 28% of films

23rd percentile among Drama31st percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)34th
Approval (how many liked it)24th

57 /100

34th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Drama36th percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

31% liked it

24th percentile of all films

19th percentile among Drama26th percentile among 1990s
31% rated it 7–1069% rated it 1–6

Critics 43% · Audience 33%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Reach

How many have seen it

59th percentile

1.2K ratings across platforms

62nd percentile among Drama54th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 39% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$372K
Domestic gross$1.2M
Worldwide gross$1.2M

63rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film focuses on third-year medical students dealing with competition, relationships, and hospital life.

Fans praised

  • accurate realistic depiction of third-year medical school
  • well-developed student relationships and human-side of medicine
  • engaging plot with romance, humor, and emotional stakes

Detractors panned

  • formulaic by-the-numbers characters and predictable storylines
  • abundant medical inaccuracies
  • dull disjointed pacing and petty subplots

What stands out

AtmosphereDivisive65

immersive in cut-throat hospital environment and pimping sessions

Emotional impactDivisive50

shows doctors' human frailties and tragedy of routine injection

ActingDivisive45

cast struggles with one-dimensional roles; talented actors wasted

Plot and storyDivisive40

by-the-numbers drama with predictable arcs and tidy ending

EndingDivisive40

tidy resolution where everyone wins feels rushed

CharactersDivisive35

formulaic archetypes; hot-shot lead, no-nonsense female, wacky friend, uptight rival

Pacing25

slow, disjointed; drags with trivial subplots

OriginalityDivisive20

derivative of Gross Anatomy; same medical school formula

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Watch experience

What is Vital Signs like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
TenseWarmRomantic
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of filmsSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Multiple perspectives · 2% of films: The same events retold from different characters' points of view.
ToneThe film treats its medical-school subject matter with earnestness and a warm, humane touch, without being overly cynical or ironic.
The rideThe film balances the high-pressure competition with heartfelt moments, shifting between tension, romance, and warmth, with a tragic event in the middle.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically through the academic year, interweaving the experiences of several medical students.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves viewers with a sense of triumph and optimism about the human spirit in medicine.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% (this title) · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Liberation: Breaking free of a confining life (Room).

13% of films fit this archetype

with Rags to riches underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe film follows medical students competing for a surgical internship while navigating personal relationships, centering on Michael's struggle to define himself apart from his father's legacy.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfAmbitionSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Ambition · 7% of filmsMarriage · 2% of filmsFamily bonds
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the drive to succeed in a high-stakes medical environment and the toll it takes on personal relationships.
StanceThe film presents the competitive medical school environment without strong judgment, focusing on the personal struggles of its characters.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Miles Goodman
SettingA Los Angeles teaching hospital during the third year of medical school.

Content guide

Is Vital Signs okay for kids?

R

Vital Signs is rated R. As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (17/100), sexual content at moderate (38/100), language at mild (17/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (17/100) and frightening material at mild (17/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (15 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Vital Signs have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Vital Signs?

Cast

Adrian Pasdar
as Michael Chatham
Diane Lane
as Gina Wyler
Laura San Giacomo
as Lauren Rose
Jack Gwaltney
as Kenny Rose
Jane Adams
as Suzanne Maloney
Tim Ransom
as Bobby Hayes
Bradley Whitford
as Dr. Donald Ballentine
Lisa Jane Persky
as Bobby
William Devane
as Dr. Chatham
Norma Aleandro
as Henrietta Walker

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Vital Signs?

Movies like Vital Signs include Arrhythmia (2017), The Doctor (1991) and Late Shift (2025). All three are medical dramas and films about medicine.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Vital Signs?

311 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: medical drama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.