Title – I Swear (2025)
Director – Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine)
Cast – Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Peter Mullan, Shirley Henderson, Scott Ellis Watson
Plot – The true story of Tourette’s Syndrome advocate John Davidson (Aramayo) who must learn to live a life with the condition that threatens to derail his dreams and relationships at any moment.
“I have Tourette’s syndrome, and it makes me tick!”
Review by Eddie on 13/03/2026
The little British film that could, collecting over $8 million dollars at the local UK box office, rave critical and audience reviews (at the time of writing 100% critics rating and 99% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and a good chunk of award recognition, including 5 BAFTA nominations and a couple of key wins, I Swear is one of the feel good hits of the past year.
Adapting the true story of Scottish based Tourette’s Syndrome sufferer and advocate John Davidson, who has been the subject of multiple televised documentaries since the late 1980’s, Waking Ned Devine and Nanny McPhee director Kirk Jones strikes the perfect balance between drama, comedy and sentiment to ensure that I Swear is that rare crowd pleaser that works on multiple levels while at the same time gifting leader actor Robert Aramayo a star making vehicle.
Played notably early on by Scott Ellis Watson, I Swear is built upon and around Aramayo’s incredible lead turn bringing Davidson to life in such a vivid and memorable way and after plying his trade in some supporting turns in relatively high profile features and a key turn as Elrond in Amazon’s much talked about Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, it’s highly likely that Aramayo has been fast-tracked to the big time on the back of this effort.
Bringing the laughs when needed, the calm moments of quiet that often elude Davidson and playing off wonderfully against the likes of regular scene-stealing perpetrator Peter Mullan as kindly soul Tommy Trotter and an impossible to dislike Maxine Peake as the caring Dottie, Aramayo delivers an awards worthy turn here, ensuring that I Swear is always engaging and full of heart and soul.
Shining a light on a still barely understood disorder that can be detrimental to many that are diagnosed with it, I Swear does an incredible job of being a feature film that educates, entertains and enthrals and while follows a very stereotypical slice of life underdog tale there’s enough originality and unique energy in Kirk’s approach to the material that gives I Swear its own sense of identity, that includes some of the years funniest scenes and a chance to get to witness one of the most entertaining royal galas you’re likely to see.
A fun, heartfelt and joyous account of one man’s quest to not let his ailments stop him living his best life, I Swear is a deserved audience favourite that is going to strike a chord with a wide-ranging audience of all shapes, sizes and ages as it marches on its way to becoming one of the year’s most likeable features.
Final Say –
Powerfully and enthusiastically bought to screen by its cast and crew, including a career defining performance from Robert Aramayo, I Swear certainly lives up to its name and so much more creating an immensely likable viewing experience that should see it live out a long and prosperous shelf life in the years to come.
4 1/2 lamp posts out of 5
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
My only criticism of this movie is that the ending is a little weak. It’s a brilliant portrait of a man living in hell. It doesn’t quite complete the arc from darkness to light. The best later scene is the one in the car with the girl with Tourettes and they both suddenly find themselves able just to let go.
That was a fantastic scene mate. I believe the girl was a real-life sufferer of Tourette’s too which added weight to that scene.
E