I Swear (Film Club)

09 Dec 2025

Various times

120 minutes

Set in Scotland, this is the true life story of John Davidson. Diagnosed with Tourette's at 15, targeted as 'insane' by his peers, he struggled with a condition few had witnessed. Campaigning for better understanding and acceptance of the condition of Tourette's as an adult, he finds his life's purpose and accepted his MBE from the Queen in 2019.

“Biopic of pioneering Tourette syndrome activist is funny, fierce and full of heart. Kirk Jones’s terrifically warm, generous film is about real-life activist John Davidson, who is from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and has Tourette syndrome, with its tics, compulsive behaviour patterns and random obscene shouts. He was awarded an MBE in 2019 for his work educating the nation about the condition since he first exhibited its symptoms as a teenager in 1989, as captured in the BBC’s sensational documentary John’s Not Mad. I Swear contains a great performance from Robert Aramayo [The Rings of Power], full of intelligence and charm…There are also lovely performances from Shirley Henderson as his mum Heather, who can’t cope, Maxine Peake as the mental health nurse who takes him in, and Peter Mullan as community centre worker Tommy, who gives John a chance. ” Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

Director & writer: Kirk Jones

Cast: Robert Aramayo, Peter Mullan, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson

2025 120 mins