Markiplier earns the title of a triple threat, after bringing a brilliantly directed film, with an amazing story and an astounding performance in the video game adaptation of Iron Lung.
On May 19, 2022, Mark Fischbach, mostly known as Markiplier, posted a let’s play of a game called Iron Lung.
He would announce plans for an adaptation on April 21, 2023, and three years later, Markiplier brought the film to life by self-financing it and working with the game's creator, David Szymanski.
During production of the film, Markiplier posted on June 28, 2023, that he had to go to the hospital due to inflamed eyes as he had been exposed to an excessive amount of fake blood.
Iron Lung, an indie film that was self-funded, broke the record for most fake blood in a horror film with 80,000 gallons (300,000 Litres), surpassing 2013’s Evil Dead record of 50,000 gallons (190,000 Litres).
Initially planned to release exclusively in the United States, with Bill Herting handling theatre booking.
Herting initially planned a 60-theatre release, but immediately grew to 600 as theatres realized Markiplier’s name was attached.
It didn’t stop there, though, as fans from all over the world called local theatres to get in on the action.
In an article by Indiewire, Herting said that the demand was so high that theatres complained.
“One of the big circuits said, ‘Could you do me a favour? Could you tell [Mark’s] fans to stop calling the theatres? You've got to turn those bots off,” Said Bill. “It wasn’t bots.”
As of premier night, on the Iron Lung website, there are 4,105 theatres playing Iron Lung.
Non-Spoiler Review
Mark Fischbach, A.K.A. Markiplier on YouTube, made his theatrical debut in possibly the most anticipated indie film of 2026, Iron Lung.
We follow a convict played by Markiplier, who is stuck in a submarine and is thrown into a sea of blood to find anything to study.
The visuals and the cinematography were amazing for a directorial debut, and honestly was impressive to say the least.
With a premise so simple, you would think there wasn’t much to see or sink your teeth into, but thanks to Fischbach’s creativity, he was able to bring a story to life that I and many others in the theatre could engage in.
Markiplier was able to capture the claustrophobia of the game and turned the lonely submarine horror game into a sci-fi psychological horror film.
Keeping the setting in one enclosed space makes the film feel so eerie, and sometimes quiet, but the silence gets broken up by the scary and eerie yet amazing sound design used for the film.
I found myself paying attention to every single sound detail in the film because of this; even the sound of a soda can opening got my attention, and I questioned whether it was the noise of the submarine or a fellow audience member.
Markiplier effectively used the fear of the unknown in this film as his character went through the blood sea, so if you have a fear of what’s unknown in the ocean, you will not enjoy this.
What I did enjoy was Markiplier’s acting in this film.
I wouldn’t say it’s phenomenal, but it shows that he took this role and this film seriously.
In certain parts of the film, you can see glimpses of his YouTube personality, but he is also able to show his range as he is the main character in a psychological horror film, so you see his sanity go up and down the whole film.
With his character, though, comes back story of who his character is, which in the game is non-existent as you play an unnamed convict.
Doing so expands the lore of what was given to us through exposition and the games (if you knew it).
The flashbacks were brief, but they gave us a reason to care about Markiplier’s character (even if you didn’t already since he is Markiplier).
I loved seeing his rage and his sadness in this film because it showed me that Markiplier is ready to be an actor.
Though the story of the film shows that he is also ready to start writing his own screenplays.
He was able to come up with such a compelling story of what David Szymanski created; he was able to get us to care about the mission, what was happening to his character and who he connected with.
He was also able to come up with a very smart twist, which, on paper, is basic, but when watching the film, it utilizes a detail you never noticed due to your attention being pulled away.
Verdict
Markiplier was able to create an amazingly well-done horror film that fits the genre and doesn’t rely heavily on fans of the game.
This film can be seen by his fans, fans of horror, and general audiences.
If you are looking for a spooky film to watch in theatres this week, trust me when I say this: you will have a blast of a time watching Markiplier’s horrific vision come to life.