After months of buzz and a string of accolades, the British biopic I Swear has finally landed on Netflix, inviting audiences around the world to witness the extraordinary—and often harrowing—life story of John Davidson, a tireless advocate for Tourette’s Syndrome awareness. Directed and written by Kirk Jones, the film has not only captivated critics but also sparked wider conversations about the realities of living with Tourette’s, especially after a headline-making incident at this year’s BAFTA Awards.
I Swear traces Davidson’s journey from his childhood in Galashiels, Scotland, through the peaks and valleys of his advocacy, culminating in his receipt of an MBE at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 2019. The film’s authenticity is rooted in real events, some almost too dramatic to believe. According to Digital Spy, the now-infamous scene where John, in the throes of his tics, shouts “f**k the Queen” before the monarch herself during his MBE ceremony is not a screenwriter’s invention—it happened exactly as depicted. Davidson later reflected, “If the Queen of England can accept my Tourette's, and be in my company, why...should we have to do all this awareness-raising? Why can't ordinary people just accept it in the same way?”
The film doesn’t shy away from the darkest chapters of Davidson’s life. As a 13-year-old, overwhelmed by despair and misunderstanding, he attempted suicide by walking into a river. In his own words, “I'd got to a stage in my life where I'd had enough. I was tired. And I thought, 'I wonder if it would be a quick death if I just go into the water and let the current just take me.' Not understanding what I was doing, really. But somebody spotted me floating in the water, phoned the fire brigade and the police, who came and dragged me out.” Moments like these, coupled with scenes of bullying, family strife, and public humiliation, underscore the relentless challenges faced by those with Tourette’s—challenges that are often invisible to the public eye.
Yet I Swear is not a tale of unending tragedy. The film, as described by The Herald, is an “emotional rollercoaster” that balances heartbreak with humor and hope. Davidson’s friendship with Dottie, played by Maxine Peake, is a testament to the power of understanding and acceptance. Dottie herself was misdiagnosed with terminal cancer, a twist that in real life led to moments of dark comedy between her and John. As the real Dottie told The Sunday Times, “There were days when I quite felt like being pushed under a bus. We used to laugh about it. Learning to laugh has been one of the most important things for John.” Their relationship, and Dottie’s refusal to let John’s tics define their friendship, marks a turning point in his life and in the film’s narrative arc.
Director Kirk Jones, known for crowd-pleasers like Waking Ned and Nanny McPhee, delivers a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The film opens in 2019 with Davidson’s MBE ceremony, then rewinds to his turbulent adolescence in 1980s Scotland. Audiences witness the full spectrum of Davidson’s experiences: from being forced to eat separately from his family to being attacked with a crowbar, from facing a courtroom after a tic-induced altercation to finding solace with the family of his childhood friend, Murray.
Central to the film’s impact is Robert Aramayo’s portrayal of Davidson. His performance—raw, compassionate, and unflinching—earned him the BAFTA for Leading Actor, besting Hollywood heavyweights like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Aramayo also claimed the Rising Star award, with critics praising his ability to capture both the pain and resilience of Davidson’s journey. According to HuffPost UK, the film boasts a rare 100% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and an average of 4.3 stars on Letterboxd, further cementing its status as a modern classic.
I Swear also shines a light on the broader struggles of the Tourette’s community. One powerful scene features a group of young people with the condition gathered together—an experience that, for many, is a rare opportunity to feel seen and understood. Davidson’s message to them is simple yet profound: “For once, you are in the majority.” The film’s supporting cast, including Shirley Henderson as John’s mother and Peter Mullan as the gruff but kind-hearted janitor Tommy, add depth and nuance to the story, ensuring that each character resonates with authenticity.
No discussion of I Swear would be complete without addressing the controversy at the 2026 BAFTA Awards. While attending the ceremony with the cast and crew, Davidson experienced a series of involuntary tics, including shouting a racial slur during a live broadcast as actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. The BBC’s coverage, aired on a two-hour delay, included the incident—a “genuine mistake,” the broadcaster later admitted. The fallout was swift: the broadcast was removed from BBC iPlayer, and both BAFTA and the BBC issued apologies. Delroy Lindo spoke out about his disappointment, prompting BAFTA to accept “full responsibility.”
Davidson, for his part, addressed the situation with characteristic candor: “Whilst I will never [apologise] for having Tourette syndrome, I will apologise for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create. This past week has been tough, and has reminded me that what I do, raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition, there is still a long way to go and I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved.”
The incident reignited public debate about Tourette’s and the need for greater understanding. One of the lesser-known symptoms, Coprolalia, involves involuntary swearing or the use of obscene and derogatory remarks. As Digital Spy reported, Davidson himself has spent decades trying to promote empathy and acceptance, stating, “I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.”
With I Swear now streaming on Netflix and set for a US cinema release next month, Davidson’s story continues to resonate. The film doesn’t just educate—it challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions and to meet those with Tourette’s, and indeed all misunderstood conditions, with empathy rather than judgment. In a world quick to react and slow to understand, I Swear stands as both a rallying cry and a beacon of hope.