Iron Lung review: Markiplier proves he belongs on the big screen

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Markiplier, a popular YouTuber, completely created his first full-length movie all by himself – he funded it, wrote the script, directed it, produced it, and even starred in it. I was skeptical at first, but the movie turned out to be surprisingly excellent.

It’s becoming increasingly common for online creators to appear in movies and TV shows. Many influencers have taken on acting roles, and some have even directed films, though the results are often mixed. For example, TikTok star Addison Rae’s performance in ‘He’s All That’ received a lot of criticism, and YouTuber Chris Stuckmann’s first film as a director, ‘Shelby Oaks,’ was described as awkward.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to the first public showing of Iron Lung. It’s a completely independent film, made without a big Hollywood budget. It was truly a labor of love for Mark, who put everything he had into it. Knowing all this, I was worried he wouldn’t be able to create a full-length, high-quality movie, especially since he also starred in it.

The indie horror game Iron Lung, which inspired the movie, is remarkably similar in its approach. David Syzmanski single-handedly created the game in 2022, using a simple, retro style. It quickly gained a large following, even attracting the attention of popular streamer Markiplier.

Mark and Syzmanski quickly agreed on the project’s direction. Mark, a seasoned creator with award-winning YouTube series and a role in the sci-fi show The Edge of Sleep, brought a wealth of entertainment industry knowledge. Syzmanski provided the creative vision. The challenge was to elevate the project beyond typical influencer-funded content, and Markiplier absolutely delivered.

Iron Lung brings its A-game in claustrophobic cosmic horror

Iron Lung immediately immerses you in its bleak world without much explanation. Like the player character, you’re dropped into a dying universe where small groups of humans are desperately trying to understand ‘The Quiet Rapture’ – a cataclysm that caused all habitable planets and stars to vanish.

All that was left were moons with oceans of blood. In this story, Markiplier plays Simon, a prisoner sent to explore one of these moons alone in a poorly constructed submarine that doesn’t inspire confidence. He’s promised freedom if he can gather enough data during his journey, but it’s unclear if that promise is true.

As a fan, I really appreciate that the movie doesn’t just tell you everything that’s going on. It trusts you to figure things out as you watch! You learn about the world and what’s happening through little bits of conversation between Simon and his handler, these really cool, almost dreamlike flashbacks, and just by Simon realizing things himself as the story unfolds. It’s a much more engaging way to experience the plot, honestly.

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Simon’s journey through the unsettling blood ocean is even scarier than the original game. It immediately draws you in; you can truly feel Simon’s stress and fear, and the surprises lurking in the darkness are revealed only at the last moment, shown by quick flashes of light.

It’s remarkable how a film with such a simple setup – a single location and few characters – can be so intensely frightening. The film’s power lies in its focus on creating a chilling atmosphere and showing Simon’s slow breakdown as he faces constant obstacles while desperately trying to escape the terrifying waters around him.

The ocean in Iron Lung is filled with terrifying creatures – grainy, unsettling things with massive teeth and disturbingly human eyes that seem to look right into your mind. The game doesn’t jump-scare you; instead, the horror slowly reveals itself as you explore, with each camera flash and every passing moment increasing the feeling of dread.

Horror fans have been craving something like this for a while, reminiscent of films like Skinnamarink and Hereditary. Iron Lung doesn’t rely on cheap scares; instead, it creates a genuinely terrifying and unsettling experience through a slow burn. Even knowing what could happen – I’ve watched a lot of people play it – I was still on edge wondering what the next photograph would reveal.

Markiplier delivers a jaw-dropping performance in Iron Lung

Markiplier’s performance actually fits the scary atmosphere really well. I was initially concerned he’d be too recognizable and pull you out of the story. It was a little hard at first to see him as anyone but Markiplier. However, as the story began, he quickly and convincingly became Simon, a desperate prisoner facing his fears and haunted by his past.

I was completely blown away by Mark’s performance in the movie. As a longtime fan – I’ve been watching him since his early Happy Wheels videos – I knew he was a good voice actor and had seen him in lots of interactive series. While I always thought he was talented, I wasn’t sure he could carry a demanding role in a horror film, especially as one of the only characters on screen for over two hours.

I worried for no reason. Mark was fantastic in the movie, convincingly portraying intense emotions like anger, fear, and desperation throughout his character’s frightening experience – it truly blew me away. You’d never guess he’s a YouTuber; he performed like a professional actor, especially considering he created and starred in the film himself.

Iron Lung score: 4/5

I won’t reveal any plot points that haven’t already been shown in the game. But I can say that Iron Lung is a surprisingly effective and truly frightening horror movie. It avoids cheap scares and feels authentic – it’s exactly the kind of adaptation fans will enjoy, and it’s a lot of fun.

Iron Lung is in UK cinemas now, while the movie hits US screens tomorrow, January 30, 2026.

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2026-01-29 23:53