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I Swear

I Swear

8,2 /10 (440 Votes)
2025 EN 121 min

Overview

Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at 15, John Davidson navigates his way against the odds through troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose in life.

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Release date

22/09/2025

Votes

440

Popularity

23.3

I blink. I twitch. I jump. I click. I whistle. I shout.

Genres

Status

Released

Language

EN

Runtime

121 min

Budget

$3,730,000

Revenue

$15,564,405

Robert Aramayo

Robert Aramayo

John

Maxine Peake

Maxine Peake

Dottie

Peter Mullan

Peter Mullan

Tommy

Shirley Henderson

Shirley Henderson

Heather

Scott Ellis Watson

Scott Ellis Watson

Young John

David Carlyle

David Carlyle

Chris

Francesco Piacentini-Smith

Francesco Piacentini-Smith

Murray

No photo

Somerled Campbell

Palace Official

No photo

Michael Dylan

Butler

Christina Ashford

Christina Ashford

The Queen

Sanjeev Kohli

Sanjeev Kohli

Kenny

Steven Cree

Steven Cree

David

No photo

Ethan Stewart

William (10)

Isla Mercer

Isla Mercer

Caroline (7)

Catriona McArthur

Catriona McArthur

Sharon (13)

Paul Donnelly

Paul Donnelly

Billie Dean / Attacker Under Bridge

Ron Donachie

Ron Donachie

Headmaster Donald Watkins

Jamie McAllister

Jamie McAllister

Young Murray (12)

No photo

Abigail Noon

Kerry (12)

Ella Victoria Robb

Ella Victoria Robb

Teacher

No photo

Sam Felderhof

Boy 1

Isaac Chan Adams

Isaac Chan Adams

Boy 2

Leah MacRae

Leah MacRae

Mrs Robinson

No photo

Taqi Nazeer

Gerry

No photo

Liam Campbell

Fight Boy

Douglas Rankine

Douglas Rankine

Doctor

Anna-Jorge Somerville

Anna-Jorge Somerville

Dawn

Connor Parkin

Connor Parkin

Roddy

Holly Howden Gilchrist

Holly Howden Gilchrist

Suzy

Calum Cormack

Calum Cormack

Bouncer

No photo

Amber Sylvia Edwards

Marie

Chris Dixon

Chris Dixon

James

John McLarnon

John McLarnon

Police Officer

Jamie Marie Leary

Jamie Marie Leary

Irene

Ellie MacDowall

Ellie MacDowall

Girl in Newsagent

Anthony Capaldi

Anthony Capaldi

Andy

David Gallacher

David Gallacher

Sheriff

Thierry Mabonga

Thierry Mabonga

Defence Agent

Gary French

Gary French

Procurator Fiscal

Ross Mann

Ross Mann

Journalist 1

No photo

Johnny Austin

Journalist 2

Michael Cooke

Michael Cooke

Journalist 3

No photo

Donald Morrison

Priest

Ruth Milne

Ruth Milne

Karen

No photo

Paddy Towers

Lad 1

Cerys Tinney

Cerys Tinney

Girl

No photo

Gregor Mackay

Danny

Adam McNamara

Adam McNamara

PC / Inspector MacCullen

Gordon Peaston

Gordon Peaston

Councillor Spalding

Paul Cassidy

Paul Cassidy

Allan

Karen Bartke

Karen Bartke

Claire

Andrea Bisset

Andrea Bisset

Lucy

Christina Modestou

Christina Modestou

Alison

Greg Storey

Greg Storey

Greg

Paul Stevenson

Paul Stevenson

Paul

Gordon Morris

Gordon Morris

Queen's Speaker

Louise Stewart

Louise Stewart

Caroline (34)

Carolina Valdés

Carolina Valdés

Barbara

Emma Hartley-Miller

Emma Hartley-Miller

Woman on Train

Debra Stephenson

Debra Stephenson

The Queen (voice)

John Davidson

John Davidson

Self (archive footage)

Original Soundtrack

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

2025-10-15

⭐ 7

I suppose there are bound to be some questions about whether or not this is acting or mimicry, but there’s no denying that the performance here from Robert Aramayo is truly engaging to watch. John Davidson is a confident and friendly young man from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders who might have a promising goalkeeping career looming until, at the age of 14, he develops an involuntary tic. This is swiftly followed by uncontrollable swearing and spontaneously violent gestures. His parents, whose marriage is already straining, and his teachers think he’s playing up and his school friends quick…

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B

Brent Marchant

2026-05-04

⭐ 10

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, because you just might be surprised by what’s inside. The same, of course, can be said for people, and that’s especially true when it comes to individuals with the rare and unusual condition known as Tourette Syndrome. And that’s precisely the point driven home by this excellent new fact-based comedy-drama from writer-director Kirk Jones. For those unfamiliar with Tourette, it’s a condition in which those affected exhibit potentially offensive and/or violent behavior unexpectedly in the midst of what seems like otherwise-“normal” activity. Quit…

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The Fixate & Binge Podcast, w/ Joe Curdy

The Fixate & Binge Podcast, w/ Joe Curdy

2026-07-29

⭐ 9

As a biographical disability drama, writer-director Kirk Jones' I SWEAR joins the pantheon of cinematic gems that celebrate triumph over adversity. Films like **MY LEFT FOOT**, **SHINE**, **THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING**, and **A BEAUTIFUL MIND** may follow a familiar narrative\*\*, but in a cynical and darkening time, they continue to offer something vital: hope.\*\* **I SWEAR** tells the true story of John Davidson (the younger played by Scott Ellis Watson, the older by Robert Aramayo), growing up in Galashiels, Scotland, in a middle-class family. While attending the local primary school, Joh…

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