I Swear
- 2025
- 2h
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.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.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.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 13 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
"I Swear" is a compassionate, clear-eyed portrait of the life of Tourette's activist John Davidson. It sidesteps clichés, focusing on identity, dignity, and the real work of advocacy. Performances feel lived-in; period detail is textured without nostalgia fog but with great music. Direction and editing keep things intimate yet propulsive, and the sound design respects the sensory world. The script patiently dismantles common myths while staying humane and often witty. Occasionally earnest, never patronizing-artful, honest, and quietly galvanizing. It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to view this masterpiece. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone.
Honestly I left the cinema seriously thinking if I'd ever seen a better movie! It's so perfect from the casting to the time jumps. It's a beautiful written story that really captures the essence of what it is to be different and how hard it must be to live with Tourette's. Several goosebumps moments with a lot of humour!
I saw it at the world premiere today in Toronto. It has the kind of purposeful passion that the main character's mentor tells him he needs to find - namely, to help the world understand what it means to be neurodiverse with something like Tourette's.
Amazing performances from the entire cast, including the two actors playing the child & adult version of the main character. They truly humanize the challenges he has faced from the time he started experiencing tics as a teenager. The performances are so natural that you often forget you are watching a dramatic depiction. Tells the story with a minimum of gloss.
We need more movies like this to be created, and the world needs to see more of them. It probably won't attract much notice owing to the subject matter. But it certainly deserves to be considered for awards based on its merits.
It had a good chunk of the audience in tears at various points, both for the painful and joyful moments. Even if it doesn't hit you quite that hard, I can't see anyone giving it less than a 7, unless you are bothered by the swearing (which is entirely necessary to maintain authenticity of what such a person's existence is like).
Amazing performances from the entire cast, including the two actors playing the child & adult version of the main character. They truly humanize the challenges he has faced from the time he started experiencing tics as a teenager. The performances are so natural that you often forget you are watching a dramatic depiction. Tells the story with a minimum of gloss.
We need more movies like this to be created, and the world needs to see more of them. It probably won't attract much notice owing to the subject matter. But it certainly deserves to be considered for awards based on its merits.
It had a good chunk of the audience in tears at various points, both for the painful and joyful moments. Even if it doesn't hit you quite that hard, I can't see anyone giving it less than a 7, unless you are bothered by the swearing (which is entirely necessary to maintain authenticity of what such a person's existence is like).
It can't be understated that what John Davidson has done for the lives of people with Tourette's. His life was upended by his condition at an early age and he, like some others of that era, had to suffer the indignity, the torture if you will, offered a world that didn't understand.
This movie showcases just that.
I won't go into too much detail because I do not want to lessen the experience that this movie, about John, shares with its audience. The moments of sorrow, joy, sheer laughter, and togetherness this movie brings is a wonder to behold. The acting is absolutely brilliant, and the filming is first class.
This film should get multiple awards for what has been produced here. It is a wonderful movie which tickles the emotions, and it is my sincere hope that it highlights the need of understanding and education of Tourette Syndrome to us all.
This movie showcases just that.
I won't go into too much detail because I do not want to lessen the experience that this movie, about John, shares with its audience. The moments of sorrow, joy, sheer laughter, and togetherness this movie brings is a wonder to behold. The acting is absolutely brilliant, and the filming is first class.
This film should get multiple awards for what has been produced here. It is a wonderful movie which tickles the emotions, and it is my sincere hope that it highlights the need of understanding and education of Tourette Syndrome to us all.
I wrnt to see this with a group of people from TiC (Tourettes inclusion in the community) charity, in Hull. There was a mix of workers, family members and tourettic people. We met the lead actor and the cinema were absolutely brilliant with us all :)
The film, wow, what a stark and eye opening account of Johns life, his struggles, his wins, and the joy and grief in between. There wasnt a dry eye in the house from our lot, everyone understood and empathised, everyone gained even more respect for each member of our lovely charity because of the work Johnny, Paul and our Kim, Bev and Yas do on the daily, and always with a smile and support for each and every person who are misunderstood, misheard and laughed at with their condition.
Thank you for making this film, thank you for educating people on pure reality, thank you for being you John Davidson MBE ... You are amazing :)
The film, wow, what a stark and eye opening account of Johns life, his struggles, his wins, and the joy and grief in between. There wasnt a dry eye in the house from our lot, everyone understood and empathised, everyone gained even more respect for each member of our lovely charity because of the work Johnny, Paul and our Kim, Bev and Yas do on the daily, and always with a smile and support for each and every person who are misunderstood, misheard and laughed at with their condition.
Thank you for making this film, thank you for educating people on pure reality, thank you for being you John Davidson MBE ... You are amazing :)
Did you know
- TriviaPeter Mullan (Tommy Trotter) and Robert Aramayo (John Davidson) previously worked together on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) as the elf Elrond (Aramayo) and the dwarven king Durin III (Mullan).
- GoofsThe scene in the station depicting Nottingham shows a Scotrail train in the platform. Scotrail don't run to Nottingham.
- Quotes
John Davidson: I use spunk for milk!
Details
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $8,145,369
- Runtime
- 2h(120 min)
- Color
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