I Swear is an utterly compelling biopic about a young boy who developed Tourette’s syndrome before anyone knew what it was. It’s a film that has a lot to say, among which is that joy can be found, even in the darkest of places. But it also doesn’t deny, on this occasion, joy did a spectacular job of hiding itself.
The Story
Young John Davidson (Scott Ellis Watson) lives with his parents (David & Heather/Steven Cree & Shirley Henderson) and three sisters in 1970s Scotland. He’s a fun-loving kid until he experiences a bizarre face tic in the middle of a school day. He’s suddenly unable to communicate coherently and his seeming uncooperative behavior gets him ejected from the classroom.
As the weeks go by, the tics become more frequent and are accompanied by spasms and swearing. With no other explanation, his teachers and parents deem him defiant, and he’s punished accordingly. The punishments are harsh and, at the age of 15, with his life in chaos, he’s admitted to hospital, physically and mentally spent. But even here, there’s no respite. All the doctors do is prescribe sedatives.
It’s not until years later, when the adult John Davidson (Robert Aramayo) has been diagnosed with Tourettes, does the first helping hand reach out. But it’s been a very long wait, so celebrations are muted and, in John’s mind-numbing world, it’s just a day like any other.
Finding a Friend
The first body blow Tourettes delivers is John’s outcasting by his peers. Children’s school days are defined by the need to fit in and John doesn’t fit in anywhere, with anyone, at any time. He’s so aware of this mismatch that he quickly stops trying and, with the loss of hope, comes a death of its own.
Despite evocative storytelling, when adult John bumps into Murray (Francesco Piacentini-Smith), an ex-classmate, Murray acts as if they’re old buddies. His role is pivotal in John’s dramatic journey so it’s jarring no reference is made to their school years. His point of view would have been fascinating and also herald an unraveling of the status quo.
Losing a Family
The second casualty is John’s family. His siblings give a wide berth to their older brother and his parents deal with their frustrations by fighting it out. The marriage doesn’t take long to disintegrate and Heather is ultimately left to cope with her broken son alone.
Unfairly, the filmmakers present her as unsympathetic, but when complexity abounds, it’s never that simple. Heather is lost and flailing and, even though she could place John in residential care, she keeps him close. Being misguided and unknowing is one thing, abandoning your child is another. Her loyalty is to be admired, particularly as her son was the reason she was abandoned herself.
I Swear Because
When John finally gets diagnosed, he’s made aware there’s no cure, which is decimating news But, incredibly, he decides to turn this news on its head. He dons a cape and makes it his life’s mission to do whatever he can to help people who suffer the same disorder as him. It seems some people you can’t make bitter, no matter what you throw at them.
In 2019, John Davidson was awarded an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth for his advocacy work related to Tourette’s syndrome.
I Swear Release Dates
Premier – Toronto International Film Festival, September 2025
Theatrical UK – October 10, 2025
Streaming UK – Netflix, March 10, 2026
Theatrical USA – April 10, 2026
Streaming – to be announced
Writer & Director by Kirk Jones
Executive Producer John Davidson
Distributed by
Sony Pictures Classics
Read a review starring a Vietnamese child
About Kirk Jones
Kirk Jones was born on October 31, 1964, in Bristol, England. He attended Newport Film School, where he specialized in directing drama and television commercials. After graduating, he began his career directing commercials and quickly gained recognition for his work, winning several awards, including a Silver Lion at Cannes for his Heinz campaign in 1996. He made his debut feature film, Waking Net Devine, in 1998.
