The biopic I Swear, focusing on the life of activist John Davidson, is an important film about the lived experience of Tourette Syndrome (TS). Crucially, the film avoids being overly cheesy or cliched; it feels simply honest and real, which is its greatest strength.

The film refuses to shy away from the difficult, often chaotic realities of life with TS. This is where the film excels: it is both deeply upsetting and powerfully confronting in its depiction of societal barriers. It forces viewers to look closely at our reactions; the ignorance and fear we often direct toward conditions we simply don’t understand or find challenging. We witness firsthand how a lack of public awareness turns a manageable neurological condition into a source of profound suffering and exclusion.

A key moment that perfectly captures this struggle is John’s MBE investiture. In the film, he swears in front of the Queen. As confirmed in a BBC interview (I was the poster boy for Tourette's and swore in front of the Queen), this iconic moment actually happened, but with a deeply compassionate real-life detail: John was reassured by the Queen's bodyguards that she knew about and understood his condition, meaning there was no need for him to be stressed. This incident beautifully shows the power of the shift from judgement to acceptance.

I Swear ultimately delivers a powerful, affirming message. It shows that with genuine understanding, knowledge, and kindness, we have the power to dismantle the external barriers that society has created. The film's core message aligns perfectly with the quote John Davidson championed:

For this reason, I Swear is required viewing for anyone in a role of public interaction. It holds particular significance for those working in public service sectors, be it education, health and social care, policing, or broader government services. I highly recommend that teachers and educators, in particular, use their half-term break to go and watch this film. It should also be recommended to our more mature Level 2 and Level 3 students, noting of course, that it carries a 15 certificate and there is a significant amount of swearing (and scenes of corporal punishment in school.)

It is our professional duty to engage with the level of understanding this film demands, enabling us to better support those affected by TS and ensure we are providing the equity and support they deserve. We can all improve our knowledge today by visiting these essential resources:

NHS Guidance on Tourette Syndrome

Tourettes Action

For another perspective on the film, read this review from a TS researcher:

The Conversation Review: I research Tourette’s – I Swear is an unflinching yet empathetic portrait of life with this condition