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I Swear, the moving true story of a Scottish Tourette’s advocate, has been picked up by Sony Pictures Classics for U.S. and international distribution following a well-received premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film opened in the U.K. with strong box office numbers and quickly stirred conversation.
A Scottish Voice Finally Heard
I Swear tells the story of John Davidson, played with raw energy by Robert Aramayo, who many know from Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power. In the 1980s and 1990s, Davidson became one of the most outspoken voices for Tourette’s Syndrome in the U.K., at a time when the condition was widely misunderstood and mocked. The film dives headfirst into his fight against stigma, capturing both his private frustrations and public battles.
Directed by Kirk Jones, best known for Waking Ned Devine and Nanny McPhee, the film strikes a delicate balance between drama and humor. One standout scene, already getting people talking, shows Davidson involuntarily shouting an obscenity while receiving an honor from Queen Elizabeth. It’s a moment that manages to be both deeply uncomfortable and oddly liberating—a perfect summary of what the film tries, and largely succeeds, to express.
From a storytelling point of view, I was struck by the film’s honesty. It doesn’t soften the awkwardness, nor does it manipulate your emotions. Instead, it lets you feel your way through the situation, just like Davidson had to. It’s been a while since a biopic felt this grounded. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
A Strong Ensemble and Authentic Collaboration
Robert Aramayo’s performance is undoubtedly the backbone of the film, but the supporting cast adds depth and warmth. Maxine Peake brings intensity and grit, while Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan are welcome presences, bringing both gravity and compassion to their roles.
One of the things that makes I Swear especially compelling is its commitment to authenticity. The production worked with members of the Tourette’s community and even cast actors who live with the condition. That collaboration adds a layer of honesty rare in stories about disability.
Key production credits include:
- Directed by Kirk Jones
- Produced by Georgia Bayliff and Piers Tempest
- Executive producers: Cindy Jones and John Davidson
- In collaboration with a Tourette’s advocacy charity
- Distributed in the U.K. by Studiocanal
Box Office and Critical Response
After its world premiere at TIFF, I Swear opened on October 10 in the U.K., debuting with $3.8 million at the box office and landing the third spot that weekend. That kind of opening is promising for a biographical drama, especially one without major blockbuster appeal.
Sony Pictures Classics clearly sees potential here. The distributor acquired the film not only for the United States but also for several key international territories, including Latin America, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Southern Asia, South Korea, and Portugal. The deal was brokered by Bankside Films on behalf of the filmmakers. To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
It’s always encouraging when a smaller film like this gets an international push. There’s a universality in Davidson’s story—the frustration of being misunderstood, the courage it takes to speak up—that deserves to be seen well beyond British cinemas.
A Film That Earns Its Emotions
Sony Pictures Classics described the film as “emotionally engaging, funny, and compelling,” which might sound like promotional boilerplate, but in this case, it’s actually true. I Swear doesn’t beg for tears or laughter—those reactions come naturally, if you let them.
There’s a sincerity in the writing and direction that I really appreciated. It avoids the trap of portraying Tourette’s for spectacle, instead showing the full experience: the daily challenges, yes, but also the dignity, humor, and strength of someone determined not to be reduced by his condition.
I left the film with a mix of admiration and heaviness—something rare, and worth sharing.
