Image Credit: Kirk Jones, I Swear (2025)

I don’t think I have ever cried all the way through a film like I did while watching I Swear. Robert Aramayo stars as real-life activist John Davidson, a man from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, was awarded an MBE for his dedicated work on educating Britain about the condition.

First, I want to give you a bit of background about John Davidson, as this is vital to understanding this film. 

Although not revealed until the credits, part of Davidson’s teenage life was documented by the BBC in John’s Not Mad (1989), which explored his condition and its impact on his daily life. Several more documentaries followed him as he grew older: QED: John’s Not Mad (Documentary) 1988

In 2009, the BBC caught up with John, revealing that after the documentary those who used to cross the street when they saw him coming began to, instead, congratulate him on the new show. He had become a national talking point after the documentary, showing people that Tourette’s is not just about swearing. The film does a good job conveying how the condition is not just about the tics, but often intrusive thoughts, and in some cases OCD. 

After leaving school without any qualifications, and after years of relentless bullying, Davidson spent his life as a caretaker at Langlee Community Centre, where he began doing voluntary youth work. In the film, we see John eventually meet other people with Tourette’s and their families, creating a community free from outside judgement. We also see John travel the country educating others, leading to his 2019 MBE. 

In the film, the brilliant Maxine Peake portrays Dottie Achenbach, the woman who took John in during his twenties and offered him the understanding and acceptance he hadn’t received from his own family. Speaking about Dottie, Peake remarked “She should have her own film. What an extraordinary woman. The life she’s led.” I have recently watched Peake in Say Nothing (2024), and her acting range is truly phenomenal, effortlessly transforming from an Irish woman to a Scottish one. 

In addition to the support from Achenback, Peter Mullan’s character, Tommy Trotter, embodies everything John aspired to be at the Community Centre. The job interview and court scenes are powerful portrayals of understanding, and Mullan delivers a truly beautiful performance. 

If I could hand out my own acting awards, Robert Aramayo would win Best Actor. Aramayo  cared immensely about this film, seen through his dedication to accurately portraying Davidson on the big screen. He spent about a month renting a house near John, following him around the Community Centre and really trying to get in his head as much as possible, remarking that he “didn’t want to impersonate him” but instead “find his energy.” You laugh with him, and you cry with him. 

Director Kirk Jones brilliantly captures the characters across the decades of John’s life. The cinematography, sets and costumes authentically capture his growth into the remarkable man he is today. It’s difficult to find any impactful flaws when watching the film, as it was truly an incredible experience. However, vital moments felt rushed, particularly scenes showing him educating others and how those moments impacted him. Essentially, the film could have benefitted from being longer. 

Whether we realise it or not, John has educated all of us in Britain. When he was a child, there was very little research or understanding of Tourette syndrome. Today, the fact that most young people, and much of the country, have at least some awareness of it is a huge development. I hope this film can act as an extension of John’s teachings, furthering education and moving beyond the stereotype of Tourette’s being ‘just about swearing.’