Iron Lung: Bloody brilliant for Markiplier’s directorial debut

Iron Lung stays true to the feel of the game its adapted from

Iron Lung understands what made the original Iron Lung game so effective. The film captures the same claustrophobic tone and suffocating atmosphere that defined the game. Set almost entirely inside a cramped submarine drifting through a blood ocean, the movie leans heavily on tension rather than spectacle. The pressure feels constant, and the isolation never lets up.

The plot closely follows the structure of the game, with a few additions to make it work as a feature film. Still, the story itself is not the main focus. Like the game, it is the atmosphere that carries the experience. The slow descent into dread and uncertainty does most of the heavy lifting.

One location, one character, and one trip to the unknown

The entire film takes place in one location: a submersible named “Iron Lung”. Markiplier is on screen for nearly the whole runtime as Simon, the main character. For longtime viewers, it can be difficult at first to separate Markiplier the YouTuber from Simon the convict. His online persona is so familiar and recognizable that it sometimes breaks the immersion.

That said, his performance is solid for a first feature film role. His acting is not groundbreaking, but it is acceptable and believable. He handles desperation well, especially in the latter half of the movie when the psychological pressure intensifies. Because the setting is so confined, much of the film relies on his facial expressions and reactions.

Great score but uneven sound design

The soundtrack fits the film’s tone. Heavy bass pulses underline the growing pressure inside the submarine, creating a constant sense of weight and unease. The music works especially well during moments of silence, where low frequencies fill the space and make the viewer feel trapped alongside Simon. The creaking of the submersible makes you feel uneven and on edge at all times.

However, the sound design has issues. In several scenes, dialogue is overpowered by the heavy soundtrack, making lines difficult to understand. The imbalance can pull viewers out of key emotional moments. For a film so reliant on immersion, clearer audio mixing would have made the experience better.

Slow pacing, disturbing payoff

The pacing is undeniably slow. The first half takes its time establishing isolation and routine, which may test the patience of some viewers. But as the film progresses, it becomes increasingly disturbing and visually wild. The second half escalates the tension and leans into visceral horror.

There is blood, and a lot of it everywhere. It is graphic and intense, so if you’re hematophobic, that is one thing to consider. The horror is not just visual, though. It also taps into Lovecraftian themes, exploring the fear of the unknown and the mental collapse that comes with confronting something beyond human understanding.

Strong cinematography and production value

For a self funded indie film, the cinematography is impressive. The framing inside the submarine feels deliberate and cinematic. Lighting choices enhance the feeling of confinement without making scenes visually dull. It is rare for a lower budget film to feel this polished. At times, Iron Lung feels like a proper blockbuster film.

Markiplier’s years of filming horror content clearly influence the direction. The movie often feels like an immersive version of one of his Let’s Play videos, but elevated through professional sets and camera work. His familiarity with horror pacing and tension is evident throughout.

Final verdict

Iron Lung is a strong directorial debut for Markiplier. It captures the tone of the game, delivers effective atmosphere, and showcases impressive cinematography for its budget. While the slow pacing and uneven sound design leave room for improvement, the film succeeds more often than it stumbles.

Frequent Markiplier viewers will likely appreciate the experience the most, but horror fans, especially those who enjoy Lovecraftian themes, will also feel right at home. It is bloody (no pun intended) brilliant and we can’t wait for what passion project film Markiplier comes up with next.