Trust Me, I’m a Doctor Review: Kal Penn’s Anna Nicole Smith Drama Can’t Pick a Tone

Anna Nicole Smith was one of the most talked-about celebrities of the 2000s. Her death in 2007 shocked the public and kicked off a media frenzy. Most stories about her focus on her fame, her family, and her fortune.

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor looks at a different side of the story: her doctor. The film follows the physician who became tangled in the legal aftermath of her death. It opens in theaters on October 16, 2026. Here’s our review.

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor Story: A Doctor in the Spotlight

The film is based on the memoir of Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, titled Trust Me, I’m a Doctor: My Life Before, During and After Anna Nicole Smith. Kal Penn plays Kapoor, a physician whose life turns upside down after he becomes involved with a very famous patient.

Abbie Cornish plays Smith, a model and reality TV star who dreams of Marilyn Monroe-level celebrity. Kapoor becomes her friend and confidant, and he’s soon drawn into her glamorous, chaotic world. Photos of him at parties and events spread across tabloids.

Then Smith dies of a prescription drug overdose in 2007. Kapoor is charged with several felonies connected to prescribing medications to her. His private life becomes public, and the internet turns him into a headline.

The story unfolds in a non-linear way. Much of it is framed around a meeting between Kapoor and his defense attorney, Ellyn Garofalo (Linda Hamilton), who questions him about what really happened. Other people from Smith’s life appear along the way, including her lawyer and partner Howard K. Stern (David Julian Hirsh) and her son Daniel (Jordan Kronis).

The Cast Is the Film’s Strength

The best thing about the movie is its cast.

Penn plays Kapoor with charm and awkward energy. He also narrates parts of the story and speaks directly to the camera. It’s a lively, self-aware performance that draws you in. Penn is also an executive producer, so he clearly cares about the project.

Linda Hamilton is the standout. As the sharp, no-nonsense lawyer Ellyn, she brings seriousness and dignity to the film. Many viewers will remember her from Terminator, and she shows real range here. Whenever she’s on screen, the story feels grounded.

Cornish captures Smith’s glamour and vulnerability. She plays the star with a broad, larger-than-life energy, which fits the real person’s public image. Some quieter moments reveal a more fragile side. Cornish doesn’t get much screen time, though, since the film is Kapoor’s story.

A Tone That Never Settles

Here’s where the film struggles. Writer-director Thane Economou can’t decide what kind of movie this is.

Sometimes it’s a jokey, tabloid-style comedy in the spirit of I, Tonya. The narration, the fourth-wall breaks, and the timeline shifts all point toward satire. Other times it wants to be a serious drama about a man whose life collapsed.

That tug-of-war creates a bumpy ride. A goofy subplot about a gossip site clashes with emotional scenes about loss. The film sometimes seems to treat Smith’s real-life circle as outlandish characters, which makes it harder to take the heavier moments seriously.

Too Many Detours

The structure adds to the problem. The film jumps from one side story to another, from Smith’s relationships to her family drama to the media circus. Many of these threads are interesting, but they don’t always connect.

As a result, the story loses focus. It touches many topics, but it rarely digs deep. The strongest idea is the difference between legal guilt and moral responsibility. A doctor can be innocent in court but still wonder what he could have done differently. The film brushes against that question, but it doesn’t fully explore it.

The courtroom scenes are among the more effective parts, thanks mostly to Hamilton’s presence.

Is It Worth Watching?

That depends on what you want. If you enjoy true-story dramas with a Hollywood twist, or you’re curious about the Anna Nicole Smith saga, the performances make it watchable. Hamilton alone is worth the ticket for fans of her work.

If you want a tightly told biopic with a clear point of view, the film may disappoint. Its mix of comedy and drama can feel scattered, and some viewers may find the jokes about real events uncomfortable.

The film is rated R and runs 1 hour 51 minutes.

The Verdict

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor has a fascinating subject and a strong cast, led by a standout Linda Hamilton. But an uneven tone and a scattered script keep it from living up to its potential. It’s a watchable, sometimes entertaining true story that never quite finds its focus.

Rating: 2.5/5

Watch the Trailer

Quick Facts

• Title: Trust Me, I’m a Doctor
• Writer/Director: Thane Economou
• Based on: Sandeep Kapoor’s memoir Trust Me, I’m a Doctor: My Life Before, During and After Anna Nicole Smith
• Genre: Biographical Comedy-Drama
• Runtime: 1h 51m (111 minutes)
• Rated: R
• Starring: Kal Penn, Linda Hamilton, Abbie Cornish, David Julian Hirsh, Jordan Kronis, Ted Jefferies, Elon Gold
• Producers: Ryan Hawkins, Rebecca Case, Alex Engelmann, Geenah Krisht
• Distributor: Briarcliff Entertainment
• Release date: October 16, 2026 (theaters)

Where to Watch

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor opens in theaters on October 16, 2026, through Briarcliff Entertainment. No streaming date has been announced.

Have you seen “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor”? Share your thoughts in the comments below.