I Swear

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2:12

I Swear

R

2025

2h 1m

Comedy

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

99%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Scottish setting, true life story of John Davidson. Diagnosed with Tourette's at 15, targeted as 'insane' by his peers, he struggled with a condition few had witnessed. Campaigning for better understanding and acceptance of the condition of Tourette's as an adult, he finds his life's purpose and accepted his MBE from the Queen in 2019.

Critics Consensus

A deft balance of prickly and sweet that's bound together by Robert Aramayo's knockout performance, I Swear doesn't sugarcoat the challenges of Tourette syndrome while delivering an uplifting tale of resilience.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Oct 15

4/5

All flaws are overcome by Aramayo’s technically precise and heart-rending turn. It’s astonishing.

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

Oct 14

2/5

What the film does have going for it is a remarkable and charismatic performance from actor Robert Aramayo.

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Oct 14

4/5

I Swear happily adheres to the British cinematic tradition of small town underdog stories, without ever hijacking and streamlining Davidson’s experiences to maximise its “feel-good” credentials.

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Aidan Kelley

Collider

Jan 14

8/10

I Swear is an audacious biopic that has no issues tackling the roots of a serious topic, and its dedication to that task does lead to some scenes that will certainly be upsetting to some viewers.

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Ben Allen

GQ Magazine [UK]

Nov 25

In less capable hands, Davidson would feel like a caricature, but Aramayo manages to make his Tourette's tics clearly involuntary, playing both the funny and the sad bits beautifully.

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Oct 14

4/5

While writer-director Kirk Jones pushes the emotions rather forcefully, the story is made wonderfully spicy simply because of the subject matter.

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chris f

@Donkeykong99 8h

In a time where films are self important, cynical or high budget one forgets that like most art a focus on the indominable human spirit is what makes us feel, because it is beautiful, because it is true. I am a tough man so I am told and this film made me cry for the first time in decades and it is earned. It is not just about tourettes it is about hope triumphing over despair a very poignant battle in the transparently corrupt modern world we are stuck in at the moment. It is the lead actors performance that takes this from a very moving film into a master piece.

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Nathan C

@Cookii 1d

Outstanding film, honestly made me cry the fact people were horrible to him not knowing his situation. The only problem i had with this film was the put on Scottish accent’s from English actors. Really did my nut in!

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Sophia A

@Pippylou123 2d

"Absolutely brilliant! Every scene had me hooked, the story is gripping, and the performances are top-notch. I was completely blown away—definitely a must-watch!"

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Stewart W

@Wellsy 3d

Absolutely brilliant biopic after following the story of the real John Davidson watching this film was really eye opening into the world of tourettes and the early stages of it's understanding and the acting by aramayo is superb I genuinely felt he suffered from tourettes himself so convincing

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Jamie M

3d

I can't think of a better film I have watched. Powerful, hilarious and tears of laughter and sadness

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TC B

@Tcbucks 3d

Incredible film. Fabulous acting. Funny and very moving at the same time. Some of the lines are legendary.

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Kirk Jones

Director

Robert Aramayo

John Davidson

Peter Mullan

Tommy Trotter

Maxine Peake

Dottie Achenbach

Shirley Henderson

Heather Davidson

Scott Ellis Watson

Young John Davidson

I Swear: Trailer 1

2:12

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Synopsis

Scottish setting, true life story of John Davidson. Diagnosed with Tourette's at 15, targeted as 'insane' by his peers, he struggled with a condition few had witnessed. Campaigning for better understanding and acceptance of the condition of Tourette's as an adult, he finds his life's purpose and accepted his MBE from the Queen in 2019.

Director: Kirk Jones
Producer: Piers Tempest, Kirk Jones, Georgia Bayliff
Screenwriter: Kirk Jones, Kirk Jones
Production Co: Tempo Productions, One Story High
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Some Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)