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I Swear

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I Swear

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• Drama
• Documentary

• 2025
• Kirk Jones
• 120 mins
• 15

Summary

John Davidson: diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at a young age which alienated him from his peers, he struggled with a condition few people had witnessed.

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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Terry Staunton

John Davidson, a young man with Tourette syndrome, became an unlikely TV personality in the late 1980s when, aged 16, he was the focus of John's Not Mad, a BBC documentary examining the condition. This feel-good but inevitably foul-mouthed drama tells a deeper story, with Davidson (played by Robert Aramayo) now in his 20s and trying to make his way in the adult world. Still mocked and ridiculed by some, he finds more supportive figures in Maxine Peake's straight-shooting mental health nurse and Peter Mullan's avuncular caretaker boss. Writer/director Kirk Jones skilfully weaves comedy and drama together, never losing sight of the subject matter's seriousness (Davidson, now a campaigner, is credited as a consultant), but occasionally lapses into a mawkishness that threatens to undermine the message. Nevertheless, he benefits from a strong and sympathetic cast, with both Peake and Mullan close to the very top of their game. In Aramayo, however, he has a breakout star, an actor whose range of emotions provides the beating heart of a film destined to find a legion of fans.

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8.3/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• Netflix
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameJohn DavidsonRobert AramayoTommyPeter MullanDottieMaxine PeakeHeatherShirley HendersonYoung John DavidsonScott Ellis Watson

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Crew

rolenameDirectorKirk Jones

Details

Theatrical distributor

Studio Canal

Released on

2025-10-10

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sexual references, drug abuse

Formats

Colour

News & features about I Swear

• 
  
  How to watch I Swear – is it streaming?
  
  The acclaimed film about John Davidson – a Scottish campaigner with Tourette's Syndrome – earned two BAFTA Film Awards including best actor for Robert Aramayo.

• 
  
  Dinnerladies and I Swear star in first look at 'gripping new thriller' concerning heartbreaking disappearance
  
  The thriller is coming later this year.

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• 
  
  Legendary children's TV character Mr Benn set for live-action big-screen film from I Swear filmmaker
  
  We are so ready for a new Mr Benn adventure!

• 
  
  I Swear cast and director on bringing Tourette's activist John Davidson's "unique" true story to the big screen
  
  Robert Aramayo stars in the crowd-pleasing new film from writer/director Kirk Jones.

• 
  
  "I don't swear in front of her" Keith Lemon on working with his mum on Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft
  
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• 
  
  BAFTA Film Awards winners 2026: Full list as One Battle After Another wins amid some surprise results
  
  The awards took place tonight at London's Royal Festival Hall.

• 
  
  Ncuti Gatwa nominated for Doctor Who turn at BAFTA Scotland – along with The Traitors and Bridgerton favourites
  
  Also in contention are stars from Balamory, Dept. Q and I Swear.

• 
  
  BAFTA Film Awards 2026 nominations: Full list revealed as One Battle After Another dominates
  
  There were also plenty of nominations for Sinners, Hamnet and I Swear.

• 
  
  BIFA 2025 nominations: Full list of nominees including Jennifer Lawrence's latest acclaimed film
  
  Akinola Davies Jr's widely acclaimed My Father's Shadow – which won't come to UK cinemas until next February – leads the BIFA nominations with 12 nods.

• 
  
  The BAFTA Film Awards have a great opportunity to differ from the Oscars in one key way
  
  A win for I Swear's Robert Aramayo in the best actor category would be a welcome shake-up in an awards season which risks becoming stale.

• 
  
  ITV confirms brand new Freddie Flintoff documentary on Tourette's syndrome - as star talks BAFTA incident
  
  Flintoff said: "I hope this community will bring the change and understanding they deserve."

• 
  
  BBC apologises after racial slur aired from BAFTAs audience member with Tourette syndrome - while political speech is edited down
  
  The incident had previously been addressed on stage by host Alan Cumming.

• 
  
  Maxine Peake joins The Devil Wears Prada 2 star in first-look trailer for "gripping" new TV drama
  
  Last Seen will star Peake alongside Patrick Brammall.

• 
  
  BAFTA Rising Star winner confirmed among new cast in Michaela Coel's much-anticipated new BBC drama
  
  First Day on Earth is being co-produced by the BBC and HBO.

• 
  
  House of the Dragon and Ozark stars join Kenneth Branagh in new Scottish Highland drama from Yellowstone creator
  
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• 
  
  British actor takes BAFTA 2026 Film Award in biggest ‘upset’ - and dad’s reaction is moment of the night
  
  The star beat the likes of Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to secure a very well deserved best leading actor award.

• 
  
  Wicked director shares update on his Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat movie
  
  "We’ve cracked something in it that’s really cool.”

• 
  
  Rings of Power and Saltburn star confirmed among EE BAFTA Rising Star 2026 nominees
  
  Robert Aramayo and Archie Madekwe are amongst this year's contenders.

• 
  
  BAFTA Film Awards 2026 reveals longlist: One Battle After Another, Sinners on top
  
  Hamnet and Marty Supreme are also in contention for a host of nominations.

• 
  
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