--- title: "I Swear: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/i-swear/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/i-swear" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # I Swear (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 18 reviews: 13 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2025. Nugent finds the film sweet, funny, and unusually moving despite its familiar feel-good conventions. He especially praises Robert Aramayo’s performance and the film’s compassionate, non-condescending portrayal of Tourette syndrome. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/i-swear/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2026. Walsh finds the film deeply moving, entertaining and an important extension of Davidson’s advocacy. She singles out Robert Aramayo’s stunning performance and the film’s compassionate portrayal of life with Tourette’s. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-04-24/i-swear-review-robert-aramayo-john-davidson-shirley-henderson-peter-mullan) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 October 2025. Bradshaw finds the film warm, compassionate and absorbing, with humor that cuts through sentimentality. He especially praises Robert Aramayo’s intelligent, charming performance as John Davidson. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/09/i-swear-review-john-davidson-tourette-syndrome) ## Screen Daily — Nikki Baughan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 8 September 2025. Baughan finds the biopic stirring and its lead performance exceptional. She particularly praises Robert Aramayo’s portrayal of John Davidson. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/i-swear-review-robert-aramayo-is-exceptional-as-real-life-tourettes-campaigner-john-davidson/5208665.article) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 4/5. 6 September 2025. The review presents the film as a funny, bittersweet campaigning biopic. It singles out Robert Aramayo’s performance as stellar. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/i-swear-review-2025) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating B. 23 April 2026. Festival review. Erbland finds the conventional biopic insightful, though its repetitive setbacks and delayed focus on Davidson’s activism weaken it. She especially praises Robert Aramayo’s sensitive, star-making performance. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/i-swear-film-review-john-davidson-tourettes-1235148753/) ## Slant Magazine — Ross McIndoe Rating 3/4. 17 April 2026. McIndoe finds the film compassionate and clear, though its crowded third act weakens the storytelling. He especially praises Robert Aramayo’s nuanced performance, which portrays John as a full person rather than reducing him to his tics. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/i-swear-review-robert-aramayo/) ## The AV Club — Leila Latif Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2026. Latif argues that the BAFTA controversy should not deter audiences from watching the film. She praises its sensitive direction and Robert Aramayo’s performance, while noting its darkly comic approach to Tourette syndrome. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/i-swear-bbc-bafta-controversy-still-worth-watching-tourettes-biopic) ## The Observer Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 October 2025. The Observer finds the biopic warm, touching and feel-good, though its moral message can be a little didactic. It particularly praises Robert Aramayo’s nuanced, funny performance as John Davidson. [Read the review](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/r1210film) ## Variety — Catherine Bray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 7 September 2025. Festival review. Bray finds the film an engaging, mostly successful true-story drama that balances humor with respect for Tourette syndrome. She especially praises Robert Aramayo’s convincing performance in the lead role. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/i-swear-review-1236510978/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The page appears to cover I Swear in its TIFF 2025 film capsules, but its verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified from the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/tiff-2025-motor-city-i-swear-canceled-the-paula-deen-story) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2026. The page URL identifies this as a review of I Swear. Its text is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be determined. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/movies/i-swear-review-tourettes-syndrome.html) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/3/2. 10 October 2025. The review finds the film well-meaning but overly sentimental and dramatically repetitive. It singles out Robert Aramayo’s immersive central performance for praise. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/i-swear) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 58/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2025. Festival review. Felperin finds the biopic likable and empathetic but overly conventional and frictionless. She praises Robert Aramayo’s endearing performance and singles out a moving scene in which John connects with a young girl with Tourette syndrome. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/i-swear-tourette-biopic-1236365864/) ## The New Yorker — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 17 April 2026. Chang finds the film slick and educational but frictionless, predictable, and sometimes uncomfortably comic. He praises Robert Aramayo’s graceful, disarming performance, while questioning the script’s calculated uplift and treatment of the real story. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/04/27/i-swear-movie-review) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 October 2025. The critic calls the film funny, moving and important, praising Robert Aramayo’s performance and the film’s honest portrayal of Tourette’s. They note that the advocacy work is rushed, but say the supporting cast and moving finale make up for it. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a68054592/i-swear-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2026. The critic calls the film a rare, empathetic biopic that avoids formula and sentimentality. They especially praise Robert Aramayo’s nuanced, convincing performance as John Davidson. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/i-swear-review-robert-aramayo-john-davidson/) ## Collider — Aidan Kelley Rating 8/10. 14 January 2026. The critic finds the biopic engaging and ultimately satisfying, despite scenes that can be difficult to watch. They praise Robert Aramayo’s performance and the film’s frank, thoughtful portrayal of Tourette’s Syndrome. [Read the review](https://collider.com/i-swear-movie-review-robert-aramayo/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/i-swear.md