Mark Edward Fischbach, better known to millions as Markiplier, has never been one to rely on anyone else. That independence carried over when he made his directorial debut with Iron Lung, a feature-length adaptation of the popular horror video game. Fischbach not only directed, but also starred in, wrote, edited, financed, and distributed the film himself.
Set to open Friday on an impressive 4,164 screens worldwide, including 3,000 in the United States, Iron Lung immerses audiences in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. Fischbach plays a convict navigating an ocean of blood in a tiny submarine, searching for vital resources while confronting increasingly horrifying and mysterious revelations.
The appeal of the original game’s enigma drew Fischbach to adapt it for the big screen. “When you play it, you can’t help but ask what’s going on,” he said. “There are very few games that make me leave wanting to know everything about the universe—why I’m there, what I’m searching for, and what led to the ending. I tried to work with the developer to answer some of those questions but still leave enough mystery. Hopefully, audiences enjoy it and leave saying, ‘What just happened? I might need to watch it again or check out a breakdown.’ That balance felt right.”
Fischbach says the journey to bring Iron Lung to theaters took three years, during which he fully immersed himself in honing his filmmaking skills. From technical challenges to creative decisions, he tackled every aspect of production himself, embracing the learning curve and pushing the boundaries of his craft.
With his loyal YouTube following of 38 million subscribers behind him, Fischbach is now introducing a wider audience to the terrifying, enigmatic world of Iron Lung. Fans can expect a uniquely personal and suspenseful cinematic experience, reflective of his hands-on approach and passion for storytelling.
