This review is spoiler-free.
Okay, okay, I can skip my super cinematic introduction and get right to the point: Yes,Iron Lung was good.
Was it a perfect film? No, not at all. It had sections that dragged on too long, underdeveloped moments that could have been left out, and the sound mixing was not quite right in some parts.
But did it leave a lasting impression on me as someone who loves indie films and cosmic horror? Yes, absolutely.
Full disclosure: I have been a fan of Markiplier’s YouTube channel for years. I even went to one of his live shows when I was younger. So, I acknowledge that I have a bias towards enjoying this film and Markiplier’s work. That being said, I intend on being as objective as possible in this review.
Iron Lung,a film written, directed, and starred-in by YouTube personality Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach, was adapted from a game with the same name by David Syzmanski.
In-game submarine control panel. The film’s control panel looked extremely similar.
In the game, you play as a convict welded into a shoddily made submarine to explore a moon covered in an ocean of blood. This futile quest was given to you by the dregs of humanity after “The Quiet Rapture,” a bizarre event where all habitable planets (and the people on them) suddenly disappeared. You must traverse the ocean floor in search of mysterious landmarks, only orienting yourself using a camera for brief, yet horrifying glimpses of your surroundings. It is a horror game that lets you stew in your own fear.
The movie largely follows that same formula. The convict (played by Fischbach) is plunged into a sea of blood in a tiny submarine, armed only with an x-ray camera, a map and coordinate system, and his wits. The film introduces the leader of the project through a loudspeaker in the sub, which was a wise change to allow Fischbach to have someone else to act with.
The Film Elements
Speaking of the submarine, the set design in this film was impeccable. The submarine feels claustrophobic but simultaneously leaves Fischbach enough room to maneuver into different positions around the set. Its interior is also worn and grimy, with condensation dripping down the rusty walls, adding realism to the world that lots of big-budget TV shows and movies miss.
Comparison between the submarine in the game (left) and in the film (right).
That level of detail is also reflected in the convict’s clothes and appearance. He wears a tattered old sweater, and sweat shines on his face. Little details like those help ground the film in reality—I could feel the stuffy heat in the submarine.
Since the film only takes place in the submarine, I appreciated the use of varied camera angles to make the viewing experience more interesting. I did not love the use of shaky-cam at the film’s climax, but I understand why they made that decision, given this film’s limited budget. The lighting, particularly in sections where the X-ray camera was used as the only light source, was very creative.
Iron Lung used minimal CGI (Computer Generated Images), which I appreciated. When CGI was used, it was generally for brief shots and looked fine. It was not the most realistic, but it did not need to be to get the idea across.
The convict stands covered in blood surrounded by unknown bloody tendrils.
I think practical effects can serve to ground films in reality, and they absolutely achieve that here. In fact,Iron Lunghas the world record for the most amount of fake blood in a film, at approximately 80,000 gallons. The wound effects also looked very realistic, featuring peeling burns and blistered pustules.Iron Lung does not shy away from body horror, so if that description makes you queasy, this film might not be for you.
Composed by Andrew Hulshult, the score creates excellent tension and dread. I found myself often wondering if the low drones I was hearing were the soundtrack or the ocean, which further engaged me with what the convict was experiencing.
The film’s sound mixing struggled a bit, especially in some sections with the loudspeaker. Because of the distorted audio from the loudspeaker, it became difficult to understand exactly what the characters were saying at times. These issues were few and far between, and I could get the gist of what was being said. However, I would recommend watching this film with captions just in case.
The Story Elements
The story of the game “Iron Lung” is left vague. Truth be told, I am only aware of the premise of “Iron Lung” and did not engage with its lore at all. As far as I know, the original game is very short and does not provide much of a narrative.
Unsurprisingly, the film is pretty similar in that regard. This is not a film that will answer all your questions, and the few questions it does answer only leave you with more. There is a stronger narrative focus in the film than its game counterpart, but the narrative is only explored through quick flashbacks, visions, and the occasional computer-terminal.
I did not mind learning more about the convict and how he got here, but I wish his motivations for committing his crime were more ambiguous. It is pretty clear how Fischbach wants you to view the convict, and while I do not mind that choice, I think a more morally-neutral character would have been more interesting.
The biggest issue I had withIron Lung was its pacing. This film was absolutely meant to be a slow-burning horror story, building up dread and suspense until its climax, so I am okay with a slower pace than most other films. That being said, I felt they moved into a montage sequence a bit too early. It felt like the convict had the navigating down to a science within the first fifteen minutes, and that felt unrealistic to me. I would have preferred more time with the convict learning how to work the submarine, then moving into a montage later, once he got it down.
There were some moments that I felt were unnecessary, too. There are a lot of flashbacks to the same event (with about the same information each time), and those could have been condensed into one or two or changed into different flashbacks each time. There was also a character beat that happened too early and would have been stronger if saved for a moment closer to the halfway point. Ultimately, I thinkIron Lungcould have been shortened by twenty or thirty minutes, but I was always actively engaged with the film.
Part of the reason I was so engaged with this movie is because of the way Fischbach carries the role of the convict. His performance, though a bit stilted in some moments towards the beginning, was very convincing and moving. This was a tough role—carrying an entire film with few people to bounce off of—and he played it very well. Though I admit it is difficult to see anyone but the Markiplier persona I have come to know. I am curious how people unfamiliar with Fischbach’s YouTube personality would view his acting skills.
A close-up shot of the convict in a tense moment.
The horror inIron Lungis great. I adore that growing dread in the pit of my stomach watching the convict navigate the blood ocean. I love the moments waiting anxiously for the picture to develop, not knowing what monstrosity is watching the sub. The cosmic horror presented here is excellent. What are we looking at? Is that a creature?
Has it noticed me yet?
If you are expecting jumpscares, this film is not for you. This is a slow-burning, creepy, and absolutely dreadful experience that makes you question what might be out there lurking in the depths.
To summarize this review in one sentence:Iron Lungis not for everyone. If cosmic horror, explorations into insanity, and indie films are your jam, then you should see this movie. But if you prefer explicit storylines, fast-paced films, or big-budget productions, this one is not for you.
Iron Lungis a great first entry by Mark Fischbach, and I am very excited to see what he explores next. It has its flaws, but, in my mind, the clear passion put into this project speaks far louder than any of these flaws ever could.
