I Swear

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2:12

I Swear

2025

2h 1m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

100%

Popcornmeter

100+ 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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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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Roy G

2d

Did not know what to think or what to expect but whatever I thought expected was nowhere near what I was lucky enough to see. Acting performances for some of these characters was of the highest accolade! Thought provoking film and will stay with me a long time. Already told people to watch the film and I’m telling anyone reading this the same. Surprised the film not made a bigger splash as I believe it totally deserves it so please watch and prove me right.

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Les N

2d

Wow. I laughed all the way through, sad to say. Until the end. I'll let my daughter with ADHD see it. It will help I'm sure.

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Shaun H

5d

Amazing movie. The cast did an absolutely fantastic job portraying a condition in a time when little was known about it. The comedy added is done with perfectly and sensitivily. Maxine peake was amazing as usual as John Davidson's friends mother.

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P D

6d

One of the best movies Ive ever seen What a brilliant man John is. Hero

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Nov 27

Films like these make me not move from the chair/sofa. True story of real suffering, real struggles, pain, strength when the world around is "ignorant". A few heroes that fight for what is right in order to change things for the better. I would watch it over and over. Totally recommend. Robert Aramayo's acting was incredible.

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Daisy S

Nov 26

Incredible performances all round. Hilarious and harrowing in equal measure, guaranteed to have you guffawing and then sobbing. A must see.

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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
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 2h 1m