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| Images courtesy of Markiplier Studios |
Watching someone else play a video game is very likely to sound weird to most people, especially if they aren't gamers themselves. The idea isn't just to experience the game vicariously, though that can be one of the reasons; it's also a chance to virtually hang out with the streamer and be entertained by their personality. Markiplier, AKA Mark Fischbach, is one of the creators who popularized the "Let's Play" phenomenon on YouTube, and he currently has over 38 million subscribers.
In 2022, Markiplier streamed a playthrough of Iron Lung, an indie horror game created by David Szymanski. In the game, the player controls a convict forced to pilot a submarine in an ocean made of blood. Periodically, they have to go to different coordinates and take pictures of the locations. It becomes apparent quickly that something monstrous is following the submarine down in the water. The game is short and can be beaten in under an hour, and there is little exposition other than a few pieces of lore that can be read as the player navigates the sub.
One can see the exact moment Markiplier becomes enamored with the game, as he is sucked into the claustrophobic atmosphere and eventually shaken by the jump-scare ending. The feeling of actually playing a game and inhabiting the role of the protagonist is hard to translate to other media, and it's what makes playing video games unique. When one is a passive observer, the story must be constructed in a way that holds their attention. During a Let's Play, the audience is similarly in a passive role, while the streamer provides the entertainment. That distinction is why Iron Lung doesn't work as well as a live-action film.
The film follows a similar plot to the game and adds a little more context to the situation. Markiplier is Simon, the convict pilot, and the entire narrative takes place inside the submarine, save for a few flashbacks to his past. While the extra exposition and details about Simon and the universe itself are welcome, there isn't enough meat to flesh out two hours of runtime. There is nothing inherently wrong with slow-burn pacing, but the editing and plot execution feel repetitive. Markiplier's acting is fine, but it's not compelling enough to serve as the foundation for the entire movie.
In the last act, the film finally finds its footing, and the blood-soaked, chaotic nightmare finale is extremely exhilarating. The second act needs at least thirty minutes trimmed out, as it adds nothing to the plot or character development. On the plus side, the set design, costumes, and music are top-notch, and it faithfully recreates the video game's vibe while adding intriguing elements of existential horror. There is a fantastic hour-and-a-half film hiding in the finished project, and it comes off as a professional piece of work and not a fan film.
Thanks to the financial success of his debut film, Markiplier has a bright future ahead of him if he wants to make more. Hopefully, his next project is a better fit for live-action, as there are many video games that would make great flicks if done right.
--Michelle Kisner