I Swear review: The top contender for best British film of the year
If I Swear doesn’t sweep the 2026 BAFTAs – or at least win Outstanding British Film – I will be absolutely shocked. It is a beautiful, life-affirming film that reinforces my belief that movies have the power to make the world a better place.
This biographical drama charts the life of Scottish campaigner John Davidson (Robert Aramayo), who developed Tourette Syndrome when he was a schoolboy in the ’80s. Davidson’s version of the syndrome involves tics, involuntary swearing and yelling of obscene language and sudden, violent body movements, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It was not a widely known condition at the time, and nobody understood what was wrong with him, causing him to be bullied, ostracised and laughed at.
The future looked bleak for Davidson as he couldn’t finish school, get a job or find a romantic partner, and often found himself getting into trouble with the law, but his life turned around when he met mental health nurse Dotty (Maxine Peake) and community centre caretaker Tommy (Peter Mullan).
I think everybody should watch I Swear to have a better understanding of Tourette Syndrome and more compassion for those with the condition. As they say in the film, it’s not Davidson having it that’s the problem, it’s everybody else’s lack of awareness. Society is definitely more aware of the syndrome nowadays, but perhaps not accepting or empathetic enough yet. I Swear may help fix that!
It’s surprising how funny this is. At times, I wasn’t sure whether I should be laughing at Davidson’s involuntary outbursts because he can’t help it – but he comes out with some absolute corkers that cracked me up. The swearing didn’t have much of an effect on me, but the fact that he cannot keep a secret or contain a dark or dirty thought is pure comedy. But that’s not all he is – writer/director Kirk Jones makes sure to present him as a well-rounded, nuanced human being.
I had never seen Aramayo on screen before (I don’t watch Game of Thrones or Rings of Power, sorry!), and his performance is so convincing that I genuinely thought he was Scottish and had Tourette Syndrome. How wrong I was! He performs the condition so naturally when it could have been easily overdone. All of the cast are excellent and well deserve their BIFA nominations, but I’m particularly impressed by Scott Ellis Watson, a newcomer who brilliantly plays the young John as he starts developing his tics.
I can’t recommend I Swear highly enough. It’s such an important, moving and funny film. I hope it wins all the British awards.
In cinemas now