For another year running, the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards honored the very best of cinema with a few unexpected surprises. Last night’s stellar showcase of the best in British and international films saw the likes of One Battle After Another (2025) and Hamnet (2025) win in big categories — but it was the British underdog I Swear (2025), starring Robert Aramayo, that turned heads.
In a win that shocked even the star of the movie himself, Aramayo not only took home the 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' award of the night but also snagged the prestigious 'EE Rising Star' award. Both awards were met with an overwhelming sense of happiness, but also shock because the competition was stiff.
Aramayo had been up against seasoned actors like Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Michael B Jordan for Sinners, Jesse Plemons for Bugonia and Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme, which scored a record-breaking zero wins, despite 11 nominations.
Aramayo accepted his award with an endearing speech, exclaiming "I can’t believe I’m looking at people like you [while pointing to DiCaprio] and that I’m in the same category".
Compared to the roster of blockbusters there were nominated at this year’s BAFTAs, Kirk Jones’ biographical drama was one of the lesser-known titles, but with multiple wins and an official Netflix release date under its belt, there won’t be anyone left who hasn’t heard of I Swear after today.
I Swear finds a home on Netflix
If you missed out on its theatrical run, fear not, you’ll be able to catch I Swear very soon on one of the best streaming services. From March 10, Jones’ BAFTA-winning drama will make its streaming debut on Netflix in the UK as part of the platform’s deal with StudioCanal, a partnership that will allow big theatrical releases to be distributed to Netflix a few months following their cinema runs.
But I Swear won’t be territory-locked, and movie lovers in the US will be able to catch its theatrical run starting from April 24. While not official, it’s projected that I Swear will then land on Netflix in the US around November-December this year as part of the ongoing Sony-Netflix partnership.
Netflix becoming the exclusive streaming home for one of this year's most critically acclaimed films is a big score for the service, especially considering it has a flawless 100% Rotten Tomatoes critical score at the time of writing.
For anyone who doesn't know what the movie is about, I Swear is a retelling of the life story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette’s syndrome. Starting in the early ‘80s, the movie follows a young Davidson as he’s first diagnosed at age 12, chronicling his struggles with navigating his condition, the slew of abuse he receives, all the way into his adult life where he becomes an advocate for the disease and national treasure.
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