I Swear 2025

Non spoiler thoughts (summary): This is one of those films that hurt to watch but for all the right reasons. I was not emotionally prepared for this at all. It just quietly puts me in the shoes of someone who wants nothing more than to be understood. It reminded me how much kindness, patience, and acceptance can change a person's life. ⚠️ Spoilers ahead. From here on, plot details are discussed. Read on if you’ve seen the film. If not, save this post and come back after. ⚠️ My heart absolutely broke for him when he was punished by the school principal for his tics. And at home, his parents got mad at him for something he could not control. It is so hard to watch him apologize for something he cannot fight nor understand. People think he is just fooling around. No one freaking understands! And when he was eating away from the table, alone, it really hurt. It was not even an hour into the movie, and I already found it hard to continue watching because of the punishments he was forced to receive even when he did nothing wrong. There is this scene after their father left where he was at the lake, ticking and walking toward the water. The scene is dark with blue color grading. Clearly a sad frame suggesting suicidal thoughts. Can you imagine, I was watching this in a restaurant and summoning all my strength to fight the tears that were about to burst? Dottie saying, “It’s the apologizing that drives me mad. Stop apologizing,” got me in tears. Finally, someone understands him. Also, when John asked Tommy if he was okay with the tics and swearing, and Tommy replied, “What tics? What swearing?” Such a small response, but it says everything about genuine acceptance. I was shocked by the surprise assault to the point that when he was lying in the hospital bed saying, “I’m tired of this, Dottie,” I was already numb. The film had already exhausted me emotionally. But the feelings came back in the courtroom when Tommy testified for John. Then the tears came flowing down again during the triumphant scene when he turned everything he had suffered into something meaningful by championing Tourette’s education and awareness. Great storytelling. Great direction. Great cinematography. Perfect.