There has been a stigma surrounding YouTubers who try to create content outside of their usual videos. Many YouTubers have tried dipping their toes into game development, writing, music, and filmmaking. While most of these attempts have failed, some of them have been surprisingly successful. But nothing has even come close to “Iron Lung,” a new horror movie written, directed, executive produced, and starring Mark Fischbach, better known as Markiplier.

Markiplier is one of YouTube’s most famous creators, best known for his “Let’s Play” videos and beloved for his humor. He has been on the platform since 2012 and has accumulated 38.3 million subscribers and an astonishing 23 billion views. With such success, he has in the past tried to venture into other forms of content. Projects like “Who Killed Markiplier?” (2017), “A Heist with Markiplier” (2019), “In Space with Markiplier” (2022), and “The Edge of Sleep” (2024) demonstrate Markiplier’s ability to push himself creatively and make truly compelling content. So when he announced he was creating a movie based on a video game, people were both surprised and eager for what this film would be.

Based on the 2022 science fiction horror game by the same name, created by David Szymanski, “Iron Lung” was entirely self-funded by Markiplier with an estimated budget of $3 million. The film was originally supposed to have a very limited release, only being shown in 50 theaters across the United States. But with word of mouth and fans emailing local theaters, the film was being shown in over 4,000 theaters worldwide on its opening day.

The film takes the game’s vague plot and expands on it to fit a coherent narrative. During an undisclosed time in the future, all habitable stars and planets in the universe vanish, leaving only those in space stations alive. This event came to be known as “The Quiet Rapture.” The last few spaceships are left floating around in space, looking for resources. One of these ships finds a planet, where the entire surface is an ocean of blood. As punishment for his crimes, a convict, played by Markiplier, is sent in a makeshift submarine called the Iron Lung to explore the ocean of blood. The entire movie takes place in the submarine, a narrow and claustrophobic metal tube with nothing but a chair, a control panel, a covered glass porthole, a computer, and a button and screen that takes and displays the pictures taken by the camera mounted on the outside.

An intercom in the submarine narrates the descent as The Convict gets situated with the control panel. The Convict tries to question what the expedition is, only to be deflected by the person speaking into the intercom. The opening credits play as The Convict begins his journey, using a map to go to different quadrants and taking pictures of the ocean floor. Eventually, after capturing all the pictures needed, the main ship pulls the submarine out of the ocean and into the ship.

The Commander, played by Caroline Kaplan (“The Plot Against America”), takes the cover off the porthole and explains that The Convict took a picture of a skeleton and that they need him to go back and extract a sample from it. A crew member is seen adding an arm to the front of the submarine for this purpose. Frustrated that he is being sent back after being told this would free him, The Convict turns on the camera without warning. The Commander shouts at him, exclaiming that the camera is an X-ray, resulting in him harming a crew member. The Convict is apologetic but equally as angry that he was not told about this fact. The porthole is quickly covered up and the ship is lowered back into the ocean of blood.

The Commander comes over the intercom and continues to berate The Convict before guiding him through the extraction. Markiplier uses this as an opportunity to inject some of his recognizable humor as The Convict attempts to understand what they want him to do. This is also where the film’s incredible sound design really starts to shine, as a creaking moan can be heard on the outside of the sub. The noises exult further and further, making it very clear there is something outside the ship. The Convict tries to call and talk to the intercom but is unheard. Suddenly, something smacks the submarine, sending The Convict off his feet and hitting his head on a wall, knocking him out. He wakes up to find the submarine’s lights turned off and the intercom unresponsive. It is up to him to escape from this ocean of blood.

Visually, the film is fantastic. For being in such a small environment, Markiplier managed to get some truly creative and impressive shots of himself and the submarine. The Iron Lung almost becomes a character itself, as each creak and metallic sigh fills the film with an unending eeriness. The score is also an aspect worth praising. Created by award-winning video game composer Andrew Hulshult, the score complements the sound design, building apprehension and becoming intense and haunting during the climax.

Though the overall sound design was impressive, in some scenes, the sound mixing on the intercom voices was muddled and hard to understand. This not only leaves the audience confused but also removes all tension as the audience is more focused on trying to understand what is being said, instead of being engaged in the scene.

While the film is technically impressive, some aspects can be divisive. Because the entire film is spent with Markiplier’s character, his performance is crucial. Though his performance is impressive, at times it is difficult to separate the character of The Convict from Markiplier, the personality. As a result, it is difficult to be fully invested in the character’s arc.

Markiplier should be congratulated for making such an ambitious first movie. While “Iron Lung” does have its flaws, above all else, it has demonstrated not only Markiplier’s promise as a filmmaker but has done what other independent filmmakers thought was impossible: having an international release and garnering the attention of the film industry on a very modest budget.

“Iron Lung” was the number one movie in America, New Zealand, and Australia on its opening night. A feat that is almost unheard of for completely independent productions. And, as of the most recent box office reports, the film has made 11 times its budget.

A blood drive was also created in connection with the film, with Markiplier encouraging his audience to donate.

Markiplier had a very emotional livestream, saying he has been told that “Iron Lung” has inspired young filmmakers. He has already mentioned in his live streams that he is planning another project after taking a much-deserved break. Let’s hope he takes the time to refine the skills he learned from “Iron Lung” to create another fantastic film and continues to push the boundaries for online content creators entering the film industry.

"Iron Lung” is currently playing in theaters and is rated “R” for language, bloody images, and gore.