Parents' Guide to I Swear

Parents need to know that I Swear is a biographical drama about John Davidson, a Scottish man who grew up with Tourette syndrome and is now working to raise awareness of the condition. Due to the nature of the central character's disorder, you can expect frequent strong language, including "c--t," "f--k," "s--t," "pr--k," "p---y," and "damn," plus "Jesus," "Christ," and "God" as exclamations. There's a violent attack involving punching, kicking, and hitting someone with a crowbar that leaves him unconscious in the hospital with bruises, wounds, and swelling, hooked up to monitors. Kids bully a child with Tourette syndrome, mimicking him and humiliating him, and he's constantly punished by adults for involuntary actions. A character tries to take their own life and talks about wanting to kill themselves. Characters drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. They also smoke pot, and there are drug references. Two teenagers go on a date, and there are occasional sexual references, mostly in the form of involuntary vocal tics. The central character (played by John Scott Ellis Watson in childhood and Robert Aramayo as an adult) is portrayed with complexity and empathy, and he shows courage and perseverance. He's also offered kindness and compassion by Dottie (Maxine Peake), who becomes an influential figure in his life. The movie has positive messages about the importance of education, understanding, and acceptance when it comes to Tourette's.

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