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After three years in the making, Iron Lung is finally here. Known in the YouTube space as Markiplier, Mark Fischbach and his team have created a visually stunning film that was so interesting to watch. The success of Iron Lung is a win for independent filmmakers everywhere.
From Game to Movie
The plot starts out slow and ramps up over the course of the film. The beginning can feel a bit long at first, but after seeing the whole film, it is clear that this slow beginning was meant to create a tension that is palpable throughout. By the time you are 30 minutes in, you can feel yourself getting dragged into the mystery of the story. Piecing together story elements was part of what made the experience so engaging.
Fischbach’s Iron Lung took direct inspiration from David Szymanski’s video game Iron Lung. As someone who had not played the game before watching the film, it was difficult at first to get a grasp of the full scope of the world and the context behind the story. Despite this, I still really enjoyed the film and was able to piece together elements of the broader world that Iron Lung is set in near the end. Playing the video game before seeing the film would undoubtedly enhance the viewing experience, but there are certainly elements that are impactful either way.
It can sometimes be difficult for films to keep audience attention when they are shot from one location. I was at first worried that this might be the case with Iron Lung, but was quickly proven wrong. The singular location contributes to the psychological horror of the film. It gives the impression that we—as viewers—are trapped in the submarine with the Convict (Mark Fischbach).
Clear Passion and Dedication
The passion that was put into Iron Lung is clear from every second of the film. From the music done by Andrew Hulshult to the incredible visuals done by the special effects and art departments, each element of the film comes together seamlessly to create an impressive immersive experience. Fischbach famously has a love for cameras and this is abundantly clear from the look of Iron Lung. Each shot is done in an incredibly artistic and unique way. It is apparent that the crew was not afraid to take risks here, and that definitely paid off.
There are multiple lines of dialogue throughout the film that are absolutely chilling. The moments can be somewhat subtle, but making each connection is both narratively satisfying and provides an exciting build up. The more that is revealed, the more the tension increases.
Independent Inspiration
Iron Lung was originally set to release for one weekend only to a limited number of theaters across the United States. Requests for the film to be played at more locations came in quickly and it is now available in 4,152 theaters across the world. Many theaters extended the release for the following week and second weekend as well.
In a world filled with corporate success in filmmaking, Iron Lung is a breath of fresh air. The success of an independent film such as this one is inspiring for those looking to create their own projects in whichever form that may take. Fischbach has long been an inspiration for young artists with his various projects over the years, and Iron Lung’s place at number two on the box office charts for its opening weekend gives hope for the success of independent projects like this one.
Sources: Iron Lung, YouTube, IMDb, IMDb, Steam, IMDb, Iron Lung, Box Office Mojo
Photos: Iron Lung, In-game screenshot, Iron Lung, Iron Lung
Contact Willow Emig with comments at willow.emig@bsu.edu.
