Kal Penn plays doctor linked to Anna Nicole Smith case in 'Trust Me, I'm a Doctor'

Kal Penn plays Dr Sandeep Kapoor in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor, a drama built around the physician who treated Anna Nicole Smith before her death from a prescription drug overdose in 2007, according to Variety. The film tells the story from Kapoor's side. It is inspired by his memoir, a book drawn from his own memories.

It is written and directed by Thane Economou. The running time is 1 hour and 51 minutes, as listed by Variety in its review published on 17 October 2026.

Penn is best known to many viewers from comedies and television drama. Here he takes the central role. The part places him opposite one of the most reported American celebrity deaths of the 2000s.

Abbie Cornish plays Smith. Linda Hamilton plays attorney Ellen Garofalo. Those casting details were confirmed in the same Variety review.

Cornish's turn as Smith had already drawn attention months before release. Variety published a column on 7 July 2026 describing her transformation for the film alongside Penn. Penn told the publication that Cornish avoided presenting Smith as a caricature. It did not feel like an impersonation, he said.

What makes this stand out for a general viewer is the angle. Many accounts of Smith's death focus on Smith herself. This film follows the doctor who was implicated in it.

The film is now drawing reviews. RogerEbert.com published its review on 16 October 2026, describing the project as a Kal Penn movie about Anna Nicole Smith. Variety followed with its own review on 17 October 2026. A page for the film on Rotten Tomatoes collects reviews, ratings and trailers in one place.