Iron Lung (2026) - Review
Iron Lung exceeded all my expectations, albeit the film is far from perfect. An indie film based on a small indie video game, produced by the popular YouTuber Markiplier? That sounds like a recipe for low-budget trash. I have never seen a YouTube video by Markiplier, but it intrigued me that he was passionate enough about the “Iron Lung” video game to finance, write, direct, and act in a film. Despite my low expectations, Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach made a film that was much to my taste. A few key decisions kept it from being everything it could have been, but it also could have been so much worse.
The film is set in a cramped submersible, with only a small window to the outside world: a sea of blood. The window isn’t strong enough to withstand deep-sea pressure. When submerged, the only way to see what’s outside is by pressing a button to activate a camera that shows only a still snapshot of what lurks outside. Oh, by the way, each press of the shutter blasts radiation at everyone around it.
Aesthetically, the film is grungy. I mean, it’s called Iron Lung, and it’s set in a literal sea of blood. It doesn’t just look like blood - it is blood. Simon (Mark Fischbach) is a prisoner forced to embark on a deadly expedition to atone for his crimes. The submersible is creaky and clearly made with the tightest budget his overlords could muster. Classic government work. Simon’s clothes are tattered; he can only communicate with homebase by means of a crackly, tinny intercom. It’s cramped, dirty, and poorly lit. I love it.
Some of the lines were hard to hear. I saw Iron Lung with two of my friends, and one of them complained that he was unable to make out what the characters were saying at points, leaving him confused about parts of the plot. Simon was equally confused by his experience aboard the submersible. Being confronted by eldritch horrors lurking in the vast sea of blood understandably renders you a tad bewildered. Personally, I would have preferred that the audio were easier to understand. Not from a need to know what’s happening, exactly, but I found myself wanting to learn more about the strange world Simon is in. The lore had me deeply interested, and I want to unravel some of the mystery. Upon a rewatch, I will use subtitles. If you’re watching for the first time, just go with the flow.
Fischbach not only directed the film - he plays the lead. He didn’t do a terrible job, but if he had been willing to spend a little more on a stronger lead it would have propelled the film further. I nominate Nicolas Cage.
I hadn’t played the video game that Iron Lung is based on before watching the film. I checked out some of the game developer’s other works on Steam. After seeing what Fischbach did with Iron Lung, I’d be curious to see if he can translate the developer’s other games into film. He makes some very strange games.
Iron Lung was an enjoyable watch. Sadly, it was hampered by a few elements that ultimately clipped its wings. I liked it, but it’s not going to be for everyone.
TL;DR: I liked it. 4/5
