‘I Swear’s BAFTA Controversy, Award Wins, & How to Watch the Movie

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Recently, the movie I Swear has been getting a lot of attention, and not all of it is positive. Although it was already released in theaters in 2025, it’s now a major topic of conversation. While the film’s increased visibility is partly due to the effort put into making it, there’s another, more specific reason that has nothing to do with its quality. This reason is a discussion about the movie’s central theme, which is both helpful and problematic in certain ways.

The movie I Swear first came out in the UK last September, but it’s just now getting a wider release. It tells the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with Tourette’s syndrome, and is played by Robert Aramayo. Made with a budget of around $8 million, the film focuses on Davidson’s experiences growing up with the condition. It’s also a follow-up to a 1989 documentary called John’s Not Mad, which showed what life was like for Davidson when Tourette’s wasn’t well understood. I Swear received positive attention at the recent BAFTAs, though the event is being remembered for more than just the movie’s awards.

Every 2026 BAFTA Win & Nomination for ‘I Swear’


StudioCanal

Although it wasn’t expected to be a major contender, the film I Swear received five nominations at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards. These included nominations for Outstanding British Film, Best Actor (leading and supporting roles), Best Casting, and Best Original Screenplay. The film ultimately won two awards: Robert Aramayo was named Best Actor, and Lauren Evans took home the award for Best Casting. Aramayo won against stiff competition, beating out well-known actors like Timothée Chalamet (in Marty Supreme) and Leonardo DiCaprio (in One Battle After Another).

BAFTAs Won by I Swear

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role (Robert Aramayo)
  • Best Casting (Lauren Evans)

Frank Dillane, known for his role in I Swear, also won the BAFTA award, beating out Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Jesse Plemons (Bugonia), and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners). He was the only winner relatively unknown to audiences. I Swear also performed well despite not winning every award; Hamnet was named Outstanding British Film, Sean Penn won Best Supporting Role for One Battle After Another, and Ryan Coogler took home Best Original Screenplay for Sinners. Given the difference in budgets and production quality between I Swear and the other films nominated for the 2026 BAFTAs, the movie’s success was particularly remarkable.

‘I Swear’s BAFTAs 2026 Controversy Explained


Warner Bros. Pictures

Honestly, the buzz around I Swear at the BAFTAs isn’t about the wins or even the nominations, and that’s because something really awful happened. While Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Best Special Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire & Ash, someone shouted a racial slur. It turned out the person responsible was John Davidson, who was there because I Swear was up for several awards. He later explained that he has Tourette’s, and sometimes that condition causes people to involuntarily shout things, which is what happened in this upsetting situation.

Pete Davidson recently explained to Variety that his tics, involuntary movements caused by Tourette’s syndrome, have no connection to his thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. He emphasized that these tics are not intentional, a choice he makes, or a reflection of his character. He shared examples of uncontrollable outbursts, even violent ones, stemming from his condition. Despite this, some people still accuse him of deliberately using a slur against Jordan and Lindo. Davidson has repeatedly denied these accusations, explaining that his Tourette’s was the cause, as it has been in the past. BAFTA has since issued an apology through The Hollywood Reporter, offering a full and unqualified apology to Jordan, Lindo, and anyone else affected by the incident.

When & Where To Watch ‘I Swear’


StudioCanal

Pete Davidson’s recent BAFTA incident unexpectedly drew attention to his upcoming film, I Swear, and many are now asking when they can watch it. The release is a bit staggered: it will be available on Netflix in the UK starting March 10, 2026, thanks to a deal with StudioCanal. Viewers in other countries will have to wait, as Sony Pictures Classics is handling distribution in the US, Latin America, Portugal, Turkey, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and much of Eastern Europe.

The movie I Swear will be shown in cinemas internationally, starting on April 24, 2026, similar to its release in the UK. It’s unclear if it will later be available on Netflix or another streaming platform outside of the UK. The original 30-minute documentary, John’s Not Mad, isn’t currently part of any standard streaming subscription, but it can be rented on Prime Video for viewers who want to watch it before or after seeing I Swear.

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2026-02-25 17:03