Iron Lung, a 2026 psychological thriller by YouTuber Markiplier, offers an intriguing post-apocalyptic premise but falls short in execution. The film's confined setting, lack of character development, and minimal visual storytelling lead to a tedious experience. Despite solid acting and atmospheric moments, the movie struggles with pacing, clarity, and fails to engage viewers beyond Markiplier's fanbase.
There's a new psychological thriller in theaters, Iron Lung, created by YouTuber Markiplier, based on a video game. The film, running for 2 hours and 7 minutes, is an ambitious project written, directed, acted, and financed by Markiplier himself. Despite its massive success among his 30-plus million subscribers, this review explores the perspective of a regular movie critic unfamiliar with Markiplier or the original game.
Iron Lung is set in a post-apocalyptic universe following the Great Rapture, where stars have burned out and planets are no longer hospitable. Survivors drift in space stations, isolated in the vast emptiness of space. The protagonist, known only as Convict, participates in the Iron Lung program, confined to a small submarine-like vessel that dives into a mysterious blood ocean.
This premise is compelling and ripe with potential for a psychological horror thriller. However, the film fails to visually explore this fascinating world. The story is mostly conveyed through text and an old-school PA system style narration, with minimal exterior shots or visual context of the blood ocean or space stations.
The entire movie takes place inside the Iron Lung vessel, making it a classic bottle episode. This approach can be effective, as seen in films like Buried, 127 Hours, and Phone Booth, where a single location intensifies the narrative and character development.
Unfortunately, Iron Lung struggles here due to the lack of character depth. Convict is a blank slate with little backstory or personality, making it difficult for viewers to connect or empathize with him. His emotional range is limited to occasional concern, anger, and breakdowns, but these moments lack context or impact.
Markiplier delivers a solid performance, especially considering he is new to traditional acting. For viewers unfamiliar with his YouTube persona, his portrayal is neutral and competent. However, the character he plays is underdeveloped, which undermines the emotional stakes of the film.
The film also features voice work from legendary actor Troy Baker, but his presence is minimal and mostly disembodied, contributing little to the narrative or atmosphere.
The cinematography is a mixed bag. While the lighting occasionally evokes an atmospheric, Dead Space-like mood, much of the film is dark and visually confusing. The camera work often zooms excessively on small details or becomes erratic, especially in the final act, making it difficult to follow the action.
The film relies heavily on a repetitive photo machine sound effect, which becomes grating over the two-hour runtime. The photos taken by Convict are black and white, abstract, and often ambiguous, sometimes hinting at creatures or unsettling shapes, but they fail to generate genuine suspense or horror.
Iron Lung is deliberately artsy and experimental, which results in a slow, confusing narrative. The film provides little exposition or clarity about the world, the blood ocean, or Convict's mission. Important elements like oxygen depletion are presented but never create real tension or urgency.
The pacing is sluggish, with long stretches of inactivity and minimal plot progression. The film's climax is visually chaotic and hard to decipher, further frustrating viewers.
The film attempts to use symbolism, such as oxygen levels represented by four white boxes that disappear as oxygen runs low. However, these elements feel more like countdowns to the film's end rather than meaningful plot devices.
Unlike other survival films like Apollo 13 or The Martian, where resource scarcity drives the narrative and character motivation, Iron Lung's protagonist shows little concern for his dwindling oxygen or the dangers around him.
Iron Lung had the potential to be a gripping psychological thriller with its unique setting and premise. However, the film's execution leaves much to be desired. The lack of character development, minimal visual storytelling, repetitive sound design, and slow pacing make it a tedious experience for most viewers.
While Markiplier's fans may appreciate seeing him on the big screen, the film struggles to engage a broader audience. It serves as a reminder that a compelling concept alone is not enough; strong storytelling, character depth, and cinematic craft are essential to bring a story to life.
If you are a fan of experimental films or Markiplier's work, Iron Lung might be worth a watch. For others, it may be a challenging and frustrating viewing experience.
Thank you for reading this review. If you have seen Iron Lung, feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.
