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I Swear (film)

I Swear is a 2025 British biographical black comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

I Swear is a 2025 British biographical black comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones. It is based on the life of Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, and stars Robert Aramayo as Davidson. The film’s title refers both to expletives associated with Tourette syndrome and Davidson’s insistence that the utterances are involuntary.

Plot and subject

The film dramatises the life of John Davidson, focusing on his adolescence after being diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and the social misunderstanding he faced. It follows his efforts to live a normal life and later become an advocate for greater awareness.

Production

I Swear was made as a British film written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones. Available sources identify it as a 2025 production with a runtime of about two hours.

Cast

Robert Aramayo leads the film as John Davidson. The supporting cast includes Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, Peter Mullan, and Scott Ellis Watson as the younger Davidson.

Release

Sources indicate the film premiered or screened in 2025 and received a wider release in 2026 in some markets. Distribution and release dates vary by territory.

Key facts

  • Based on the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner.
  • Set largely in 1980s Britain during Davidson’s teenage years and early adulthood.
  • Robert Aramayo plays John Davidson, with Scott Ellis Watson portraying a younger version of the character.
  • The film was written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones.
  • The film’s title refers both to expletives associated with Tourette syndrome and Davidson’s insistence that the utterances are involuntary.
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Canadian context

The film has no clearly documented specifically Canadian setting or production connection in the provided sources, though it may be of interest to Canadian audiences as an internationally distributed British biographical drama.

Frequently asked questions

What is I Swear about?
It is a biographical film about John Davidson, a Scottish man with Tourette syndrome who became an awareness campaigner.
Who directed I Swear?
Kirk Jones wrote, directed, and produced the film.
Who plays John Davidson?
Robert Aramayo plays John Davidson, with Scott Ellis Watson portraying him as a younger boy.
Is I Swear based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the life of John Davidson and his experience living with Tourette syndrome.
What genre is the film?
It is described as a biographical black comedy-drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Swear_(film)
    Supports: Basic identification, year, country, genre, director, writer, producer, cast, and subject matter.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31514146/
    Supports: Release timing and title identification for the 2025 film.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_swear_2025
    Supports: Genre, synopsis, director, distributor, runtime, and release information.
  4. Milwaukee Film — https://mkefilm.org/films/69b4328108e40294f2a6a513
    Supports: Plot summary, runtime, and lead performance details.
  5. International Film Festival Rotterdam — https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2026/films/i-swear
    Supports: Subject, setting, and title meaning.