Mark Edward Fischbach, universally known as Markiplier to his over 38 million YouTube subscribers, has made a significant leap from online content creation to feature filmmaking with his directorial debut, "Iron Lung." True to his persona as a "one-man operation," Fischbach not only directed but also starred in, wrote, edited, financed, and self-distributed the claustrophobic horror-sci-fi adaptation of David Szymanski’s 2022 indie video game.

The journey to bring "Iron Lung" to the big screen began as a three-year immersion for Fischbach, driven by the game's inherent mystery. He explains, "When you play it, you can’t help but ask what’s going on," a sentiment he aimed to capture while still leaving a lingering sense of intrigue for the audience. His approach to filmmaking is deeply personal and driven by a desire for self-improvement. "I use these projects more as a way to cultivate my own ability," Fischbach states, acknowledging that his long tenure as a YouTuber has instilled a self-reliant ethos: "If I don’t do it, it’s not going to get done."

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, "Iron Lung" unfolds after a cataclysmic event dubbed "The Quiet Rapture," which causes all stars and habitable planets to vanish. The story follows Simon, a convict portrayed by Fischbach, who is sent on a perilous mission to explore an ocean of blood on a desolate moon within a small, dinghy submarine nicknamed the "Iron Lung." His quest for resources leads to the discovery of increasingly terrifying secrets. The film largely confines itself to the submarine, mirroring the game's intense, isolated atmosphere, with occasional flashbacks to enrich Simon's tragic past, including an incident at Filament Station.

Fischbach's financial independence, garnered from his successful YouTube career, allowed him to self-finance the film, freeing him from the typical profit pressures. He emphasized, "I don’t care about making a profit on the things that I do for this, because YouTube has been very good to me." His primary metric for success was the completion of the project and his personal pride in it. Initially, Fischbach was content with a limited release of perhaps 50 to 200 theaters, an acceptable goal for an independent film.

However, an unexpected turn of events propelled "Iron Lung" to a massive theatrical release. Fischbach's casual suggestion for fans to request the film at their local theaters sparked an overwhelming campaign. This fan-driven initiative created a "chain reaction" that led to a wide opening across 4,164 screens globally, including 3,000 in the United States, in collaboration with Centurion Films. Fischbach was deeply moved by his fanbase's dedication, stating, "They leapt at an opportunity to help me, and that’s what I’ll never forget."

The film's release has been met with significant audience enthusiasm. "Iron Lung" garnered a near-perfect 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many calling it a faithful and effective adaptation of the video game. Early box-office projections were strong, with reports of $6 million in pre-sales and an estimated $9-10 million on opening night. Critics have yet to fully weigh in, but early sentiments note Markiplier's commendable acting performance.

Despite its initial success and unique production, "Iron Lung" has faced some criticisms, primarily regarding its pacing and length. With a runtime of 127 minutes, some viewers found the film to be a "slow burn" that occasionally dragged, suggesting that several scenes, particularly elongated sequences of Simon interacting with the submarine's controls or yelling, could have been trimmed to achieve a more impactful 90-100 minute duration. Fischbach, as the editor, is acknowledged for his developing craft in feature-length filmmaking.

As a director, Fischbach shows considerable promise. He adeptly builds a sense of dread without relying on conventional jump scares, instead generating fear through black and white camera shots on the submarine's computer, revealing the creatures lurking in the bloody ocean. This approach, while effective, led some to feel that "Iron Lung" played more like an experiment or a point-and-click game adaptation than a traditional feature film. While Fischbach appropriately sheds his vibrant YouTube persona for a quieter character, his solo presence for much of the film highlights some acting limitations. The attempts to flesh out Simon's backstory also struggled to evoke strong emotions.

Markiplier's venture into film is part of a growing trend of YouTubers transitioning to Hollywood, signaling a "new normal." Unlike creators like Danny and Michael Philippou (RackaRacka), known for "Talk to Me," or Bo Burnham with "Eighth Grade" and "Bo Burnham: Inside," who often pivoted their brand, Fischbach has maintained his core YouTube identity while taking on this ambitious project. The fact that "Iron Lung" achieves its effectiveness despite its production limitations is seen as a testament to his craftsmanship. While not a perfect movie and potentially exhausting by its conclusion, Fischbach's directorial debut clearly establishes him as a filmmaker with significant potential beyond his YouTube fame.