An acclaimed drama with a flawless 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, which stirred debate at the recent BAFTA awards, arrives on Netflix today, March 10.
Film Synopsis and True Story Inspiration
I Swear traces the real-life experiences of John Davidson, who grew up with Tourette syndrome in 1980s Scotland. Diagnosed at age 15, he endured accusations of insanity from peers amid limited understanding of the condition. The film portrays his struggles and eventual rise as an advocate promoting awareness and acceptance of Tourette’s in adulthood. Davidson found his purpose and earned an MBE from the Queen in 2019.
Davidson previously appeared in a 1988 BBC documentary and the 2009 film I Swear I Can’t Help It.
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Praise
Critics hail the biographical drama for its powerful portrayal, securing a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes after its limited theatrical release last year.
Viewers rave about its impact. One shared: “I Swear is an audacious biopic that has no issues tackling the roots of a serious topic, and its dedication to that task does lead to some scenes that will certainly be upsetting to some viewers.”
Another noted: “Robert Aramayo delivers a fearless, deeply human performance in this compassionate biopic. I Swear balances humour and heartbreak whilst shedding light on Tourette syndrome, reminding us how much empathy society still owes.”
A third viewer enthused: “Honestly I left the cinema seriously thinking if I’d ever seen a better movie! It’s so perfect from the casting to the time jumps. It’s a beautifully written story that really captures the essence of what it is to be different and how hard it must be to live with Tourette’s. Several goosebumps moments with a lot of humour!”
One more praised: “This is a fabulous film which made me laugh and cry in equal measure. It captured the difficulties and complexities of living with Tourette’s syndrome with a startling level of authenticity. The acting was superb and I came out realising that I’d seen something very special. I’ll be thinking about it for weeks.”
BAFTA Awards Controversy
Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his role, but the evening gained attention due to Davidson’s presence. Viewers heard shouting during the broadcast, linked to his Tourette’s tics.
Host Alan Cumming, known from The Traitors US, addressed the audience: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
During Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo’s stage appearance, Davidson shouted a racial slur, captured on the BBC broadcast. The stream was later removed from iPlayer.
Davidson later stated the BBC should have “worked harder to prevent anything that I said” from airing. He explained shouting about 10 offensive words due to his tics. Some view the incident as underscoring the film’s vital message on empathy.
I Swear now streams exclusively on Netflix.
