Our Review

                                   Movie: I SWEAR

 Rating: R, language throughout and some violence                                    Length: 2:01

                      Release Date: April 24, 2026

Jeanne: Written and directed by Kirk Jones, I SWEAR is a marvelous revelation of the uniquely exceptional true life story of John Davidson, a Tourette Syndrome activist, born in Scotland in 1971. Bolstered by an extraordinary performance from Robert Aramayo as John, Jones’ film does not shy away from the many complications associated with Tourette’s, especially the condition known as Coprolalia, which causes those afflicted to swear --- a great deal.

I SWEAR runs the gamut of emotions, beginning with the initial signs of Tourette’s for John at the age of fourteen. He was a good student and a potentially great soccer goalie. But all that vanishes along with his father --- when ‘Tics’ begin, with eye blinking, twitching, jerking --- and most horrifically --- the swearing. His mother, Heather Davidson (Shirley Henderson), is left to fend for John and her other children, but unfortunately, she is not able to cope.

At age 17, John goes to live with Dottie (Maxine Peake) and Chris (David Carlyle) Achenbach. Dottie is believed to have cancer and the first thing John says upon meeting Dottie is “you’re going to die of cancer”. Dottie, a mental health nurse, is not taken aback --- she simply recognizes a person who needs help.

Dottie nurtures and guides John through his most difficult times, and also helps him to find a job at the Langlee Community Centre in his hometown of Galashiels, Scotland as an assistant to Tommy Trotter (Peter Mullan), the Caretaker. Tommy is another hugely influential person in John’s life. It is he who suggests that John reach out to others with Tourette Syndrome.

After Tommy’s passing, John is awarded the job of Caretaker at the community centre, where he begins holding support groups for people of all ages with Tourette’s. His work becomes so profound that in 2019 he is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II, when at the ceremony he shouts “Fuck the Queen!”.

I SWEAR is masterful storytelling, combining heartbreak with hilarity in a wildly entertaining, yet compelling context. Aramayo delivers an astonishing portrayal of John, mastering his involuntary --- and sudden --- tics with perfection. It is estimated that at least 10-15% of those living with Tourette’s also experience coprolalia. And Aramayo’s performance showcases the devastation John feels each time an outburst occurs.

The supporting cast members are equally phenomenal. Peake radiates the calmness Dottie had to have to help John as much as she did. And Henderson portrays Heather as a mother resigned to her fate --- as one who is unable to comprehend her son’s affliction. It’s a sad and lonely role, but Henderson is up for the challenge.

My personal favorite is Mullan as Tommy. This man, along with Dottie, was the most important person in assisting John with getting on with his life --- and Mullan is truly delightful. Plus, he introduces John to life with a dog.

The sudden outbursts from John can be startling --- I jumped in my seat a few times --- but it is worth every minute of being uncomfortable to witness this inspiring narrative about a life well lived. May we all be so fortunate to meet a person like John Davidson in our lifetime.

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David: I SWEAR is, at times, a very difficult movie to watch. However, it is also a film that should not be missed. The true saga of a young man struggling with Tourette Syndrome since the age of 14 is one of the best movies of this or any other year.

In the unlikely event we have readers unfamiliar with Tourette’s, it is so far an incurable neurological condition. The afflicted individual cannot control the sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called “tics”. In certain instances, some are afflicted with coprolalia which includes vulgarities, as in the case of John Davidson, who uses curse words.

In the film’s opening scene, John is about to be presented with the prestigious MBE award by Queen Elizabeth II for  his unwavering efforts to help others with Tourette’s and educate the public at large. As he enters the auditorium, John blurts out “Fuck the Queen!” Thus sets the tone of this extraordinary story.

The real John Davidson is shown briefly at the close of the film, including when Queen Elizabeth II pins the medal to his chest. But I SWEAR --- while not a documentary --- is based on the true life of John Davidson, and the principal cast is made up of professional actors.

Robert Aramayo portrays John in an incredible performance that earned him the BAFTA award for Best Actor in 2025 after the movie was released in the UK. Under the influence of writer/director Kirk Jones, we certainly believe that the film’s main character has Tourette Syndrome.

Three other actors comprise the main cast.  Shirley Henderson plays John’s mother Heather. She tries valiantly to deal with her son’s condition which has yet to be diagnosed. Heather is also faced with raising her children alone after her husband Chris deserts the family. Henderson is quietly effective and earns our sympathy for her plight as she recognizes she is losing her son.

John announces he is leaving his mother’s household to live with Dottie, the mother of one of his closest friends. Maxine Peake is superb in the role of Dottie, essentially John’s surrogate mother, but she also understands he is in need of medical help and is wholeheartedly supportive of him.

Peter Mullan plays Tommy Trotter, a man who gives John his first real job despite the evidence of Tourette’s. Tommy is also a staunch witness for John during a court appearance where John is a defendant --- truly moving material. Mullan portrays Tommy as affable and exactly the person John needs at this time in his life.  

I SWEAR is a film to treasure. John opines that he cannot imagine walking into the quiet solitude of a library, for obvious reasons. When he learns of an experimental device worn on the body which gives Tourette’s sufferers a reprieve, his wish of perusing a library is fulfilled. And this is just one reason why I SWEAR is not a story easily forgotten or dismissed.

Opinion: Strong See It Now