Markiplier's Iron Lung movie expands the sub, but his playthrough is the better watch

YouTuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) produced, directed, acted in and distributed a feature adaptation of indie horror game Iron Lung, which is now in movie theaters; a PC Gamer reviewer watched Markiplier’s 45-minute 2022 playthrough and the 2+ hour film to compare them. The playthrough is described as spooky and entertaining: the reviewer enjoyed Markiplier’s reactions as dread grows, and also liked a 30-minute follow-up video made after a patch added a load of lore.

If you don’t like playing horror games yourself, the playthrough is praised as a good way to experience Iron Lung. PC Gamer says the film has plenty of good stuff, mostly in its first hour. The movie expands on the submarine faithfully—controls, readouts and layout are preserved—and adds secret compartments and hidden areas that give the sub more history and give Simon something to investigate.

The film also adds an early surfaced scene allowing Simon to speak with topside handlers through the Lung’s single porthole. The reviewer found the movie’s attempts to give Simon a backstory and relay the game’s lore less successful: much of the information arrives as panicked yelling and distorted voices over the intercom, making it hard to follow.

The first half’s atmosphere matches the game’s minimalist dread, but the second half leans heavily on screaming, shaky and blurry footage, plus overbearing sound effects and music that overwhelm tension.

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