I Swear: parents' guide
Best for ages 15 and up. Rated R for language throughout and some violence.
A heartfelt British biopic for older teens about John Davidson, who grew up in 1980s Scotland with severe Tourette's syndrome and became a campaigner for others with the condition. Because many of his tics are involuntary swearing, the language is extreme, including the c-word, f-words and slurs, and it is played for both laughs and pain. He is bullied, beaten up in the street and misunderstood by his family, and as a teen he walks into a river to end his life before being rescued. Some cannabis smoking is shown. The R is mainly for language, so we suggest 15, but the suicide attempt is worth discussing.
What's in it
Violence
ModerateBoys fight in a school playground, a headteacher physically punishes pupils, and John brawls in a nightclub. Later two men beat him in the street, with a crowbar per one guide, leaving him bruised and hospitalized. He also hits his head against a mirror.
Language
StrongExtremely frequent and mostly involuntary: the c-word, many f-words and s-words, wanker, bastard, a homophobic slur and disability insults like spaz, plus a middle-finger gesture. Some tics refer to rape and pedophilia.
Sex and nudity
ModerateNo sex scenes or nudity. Two teens go on a date. Many of John's tics are crude sexual phrases, including references to masturbation and semen.
Drinking, drugs and smoking
StrongPeople are briefly seen smoking cannabis, and there are references to dealing crack cocaine and to heroin. Adults drink at a club, a house party, a pub and a reception, and some smoke cigarettes. John is prescribed strong sedating medications.
Scary or intense scenes
ModerateA teenage boy walks into a river trying to die and is pulled out, and suicidal thoughts come up again later. A mentor figure dies suddenly, followed by a funeral. Scenes of a family failing to understand him are upsetting.
Sensitive topics
- Suicide
- Self-harm
- Bullying
Worth talking about
John cannot control what he says, yet people judge him by it. How should we respond when someone's disability makes them act in ways that seem rude or shocking?
On our lists
Similar picks around 15+
Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, bbfc.co.uk, the MPA, Wikipedia. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.