Iron Lung, an independent horror film made by YouTuber Markiplier, offers a compelling and inventive take on cosmic Lovecraftian horror. Despite its low budget and some pacing issues, the film excels with a strong lead performance, a tense claustrophobic atmosphere, and a unique sci-fi premise that keeps viewers engaged throughout its two-hour runtime.
Iron Lung is an independent horror movie that came as a surprise to many, including myself. Created by YouTuber Markiplier, this low-budget film has recently gained significant attention and praise. Unlike many independent horror films that struggle to stand out, Iron Lung manages to deliver a compelling story wrapped in a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere with cosmic Lovecraftian horror elements.
The film is set in an indeterminate future where humanity has begun colonizing the galaxy. However, an event known as the Quiet Rapture causes all stars and planets to disappear mysteriously. The survivors are scattered across space on ships and stations.
The protagonist, Simon, is a convicted prisoner involved in the destruction of an outpost called Filament Station. His mission is to pilot a submersible into an ocean of blood on a distant moon to collect samples from the seabed. The hope is that these samples might hold information to save humanity.
Simon uses an x-ray camera to navigate the opaque ocean of blood, which cleverly circumvents the film’s budget limitations by limiting visual effects. During his mission, he discovers a skeleton on the ocean floor, which excites his commander. However, Simon soon encounters an undersea monster that attacks him, severs communications, and leaves him stranded in an underwater cave system.
From there, Simon must find a way to escape the labyrinthine caves in a failing submarine while battling hallucinations and intermittent radio contact with a survivor from a previous expedition. The film raises many questions: What is the nature of the undersea monster? Why is the blood leaking into the submarine? What is happening to Simon’s body? And is the voice on the radio real?
Iron Lung stands out when compared to other independent horror films made by YouTubers, such as Shelby Oaks. While Shelby Oaks relies on familiar horror tropes and a conventional plot, Iron Lung takes creative risks with a wildly inventive concept. It uses its limited resources effectively and keeps the audience guessing about the story’s direction.
This creative passion and originality have helped Iron Lung make waves at the box office, unlike some other films that have faded into obscurity.
Markiplier’s role as the lead actor is a significant highlight of the film. Financing and starring in your own movie is a risky move, especially for a YouTuber not traditionally known for dramatic acting. However, Markiplier delivers a surprisingly strong and compelling performance as Simon, a desperate man pushed to his mental and physical limits with the vague promise of freedom.
His portrayal makes the audience root for Simon throughout the film.
Despite these issues, the film regains momentum in the finale and maintains a strong atmosphere throughout.
Cosmic horror is a genre that has been underrepresented in cinema. Iron Lung’s approach to this genre is refreshing and inventive. It embraces the unknown and the terrifying vastness of space and the human psyche, leaving many questions unanswered but in a way that enhances the horror rather than detracts from it.
Iron Lung is a film that exceeds expectations for an independent horror movie made by a YouTuber. It is well-shot, well-acted, and creatively ambitious. While not perfect, it successfully delivers a unique cosmic horror experience that is both tense and thought-provoking.
Markiplier took a gamble by financing and starring in this film, and it paid off. Iron Lung is a testament to what independent filmmaking can achieve when driven by passion and creativity.
For fans of horror, sci-fi, and cosmic horror, Iron Lung is definitely worth watching.
