I Swear Film Review: A Moving Eye-Opener

I Swear follows John Davidson and his inspirational story of growing up with Tourette’s when it was widely unidentifiable.

John grew up in the 1980s, a time when Tourette’s was widely misunderstood. This is his remarkable, inspirational story.

Before heading to the 80s, I Swear begins in the present day. John, played by a sensational Robert Aramayo (The Rings of Power), is about to meet the Queen to be bestowed with an OBE for his work to help others with Tourette’s and raise awareness of this condition. Nervous about the ceremony, John is comforted by Dottie (Maxine Peake), a mother figure who has helped him enormously since he was a teenager. John enters the large, glamourous hall and loudly exclaims, “F*ck the Queen!” There is scattered laughter from the others in attendance, but I Swear, whilst recognising the potential humour that can stem from such moments, is never a mean-spirited jab at those living with Tourette’s.

Instead, it is a deeply personal account of one person’s life growing up with a neurodevelopmental disorder that no one understood. After Aramayo’s introduction to the character, we are back with teenage John, brought to life in just as spectacular fashion by Scott Ellis Watson. We instantly see how his tics, which started as a young teenager, affect everyday life, from poor football performances to bullying at school to getting told off by his parents at the dinner table. It ends, tragically, with a suicide attempt, before shifting forward to John’s adult life.

Here is where the star of the show, Aramayo, steps up. It is a performance built around respect and truthfulness towards John’s condition, a hugely committed piece of acting that is steeped in detail and intricacies. Furthermore, Aramayo is as charismatic as they come. We see John’s humour and good-nature come out as he gets older, alongside some breathtaking moments of intense emotion. I Swear isn’t just a one-man show, though; as Dottie, Peake is magnetic and warm, whilst Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter) as Heather (John’s real mother) and Peter Mullan (Braveheart) as friend Tommy both give equally memorable performances.

Director/writer Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee) showcases a strong skill at crafting a biopic that feels fresh, without falling back too often on some classic tropes. There are some soapy tones and styling, but they are few and far between. More often than not, Jones expertly keeps a tight grasp on the story’s deeply human qualities, never ramping up the emotions to a fake degree, and instead allowing the plot and characters to connect with the audience. The structure, whilst simple, also works well, with I Swear circling back to and concluding with the knighthood ceremony. We have been with John every step of the way, at his side through all the hardships, happiness, and empowerment. It is an unforgettable experience.

I Swear had its World Premiere at TIFF on September 7-11, 2025 and will be released in UK & Irish cinemas on October 10.