The Stars Are Gone, And The Ocean Is Blood

Iron Lung (2026) – The “Silent Rapture” has swallowed all the stars and planets, leaving a tiny sliver of humanity fighting to survive. Their exploration has discovered a leftover moon covered in an ocean of blood. They believe the ocean holds resources that will give humanity a future. One man is sent into the depths to find whatever lies below in a patched together submersible built to withstand the incredible pressures of the ocean. What will he discover?

Directed/Written by Mark Fischbach (Markiplier)

Starring Markiplier

Why I Liked It – A personal project that performs well at the border of science fiction and horror.

I don’t do new movie reviews very often. So, to have two at the start of the year is unique. As is this movie.

For those who don’t know, Mark Fischbach is better known on the interwebs as “Markiplier”. He is one of the top creators on YouTube. There’s a huge and faithful audience for his “Let’s Play” videos where they can watch him play a wide range of video games. Markiplier also creates comedy projects and has a clothing line called “Cloak”.

Let me be honest and note that I had to look most of that up. I am aware of Markiplier and occasionally watch him over a family member’s shoulder for a minute. Seems like a fun guy, but beyond that, I’ve got nothin’.

But I was intrigued by this movie, and I ended up buying a ticket. It was worth the price of admission.

Is “Iron Lung” a great movie? No, there are some rough edges, and the script could use a little work. The script relies on a basic understanding of the video game that inspired the movie. As a result, folks like me will spend a fair amount of the first half of the movie trying to figure out what has gone on before. In its defense, the movie provides enough to understand the basics of the story.

That story is intense and claustrophobic. The ship (which is shaped like the old iron lung breathing machine, hence the name) appears to be about fifteen feet long and maybe six feet wide. That’s the entirety of the “acting area” for the story. With the exception of a short scene around the middle of the movie, the only actor you see is Mark. Referred to as “Convict” for most of the movie, the character has been offered a deal. Explore the ocean’s bottom; see if there’s something there. If you survive, you’ll be freed.

From that straightforward beginning, there’s almost nothing straightforward that follows. The craft itself is cobbled together from scrap. It leaks and groans and only has one small porthole. That’s kept covered most of the time because of the pressure below. There are secrets revealed, and some that remain secrets. And there IS something down there.

Something.

I love the ambition of this movie. Without studio backing, a big budget, or even a distribution deal (they literally called theaters individually looking for screens to show the movie), Mark and friends (including a brief cameo by fellow YouTuber Jacksepticeye) put everything they had on the screen. Despite its flaws and challenges, what made it to the screen is really good. I love indie movies; I love movies that take a risk; I love movies that refuse to play the Hollywood ending game. It’s a movie that for a brief moment on its opening weekend was the #1 movie in America, and ended that weekend still in the #2 slot.

AS of the day I posted this, “Iron Lung” is still showing in my local theaters. I don’t know how long a movie like this can hang on. It deserves a look. Check your local theaters and go see it.

Rating **** Recommended