The Reel Review
A young Scotsman with Tourette’s Syndrome is relegated to a life of loneliness, persecution and even physical violence until a former schoolmate’s mother helps him better understand his condition and educate the residents of his small town south of Edinburgh. Robert Aramayo and Maxine Peake star in this inspiring biopic about John Davidson.
I Swear is one of those films that sneaks up on you and ultimately yanks your heartstrings in a big way. Both Aramayo (Game of Thrones), and Scott Ellis Watson as the young Davidson who develops the mysterious condition as a teenager, deftly channel not only the characteristic tics and swear words associated with Tourette’s but also the frustration of being constantly blamed – even by his own family – for a condition he cannot control. The pain he endures is absolutely heartbreaking, until he meets the mother of a former schoolmate – a compassionate mental health nurse with a good sense of humor who takes him under her wing. Maxine Peake (dinnerladies, Shameless) gives a picture-perfect performance as the friend and mentor Davidson so desperately needs, as does Peter Mullan (Ozark, Braveheart) as the man who gives Davidson a job and a sense of purpose.
Writer/director Kirk Jones (My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Nanny McPhee) really helps the viewer gain a newfound appreciation for the challenges people with Tourette’s face, while injecting the sympathetic film with some great humor. (The sight of Davidson tic-ing away in the backseat of a car with a girl with Tourette’s is both funny and endearing.) Bring tissues and prepare to cry – a lot.
REEL FACTS
• Once considered rare, Tourette’s Syndrome is now believed to be present in 1% of adolescents, most experiencing extremely mild symptoms that subside into adulthood. Boys are three to four times more likely to develop Tourette’s than girls.
• I Swear was nominated for five 2026 BAFTAs and won two of them, for Best Leading Actor (Aramayo) and Best Casting. A racial epithet Davidson shouted during a tic at the BAFTAs received worldwide attention, proving the importance of this film.
• Robert Aramayo and Peter Mullan appeared in the 2022 TV series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power as the elf Elrond and the dwarven king Durin III.
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