YouTubers are taking the horror genre by storm. Danny and Michael Philippou (RackaRacka) are responsible for “Talk to Me” (2022) and “Bring Her Back” (2025). Longtime critic Chris Stuckmann released “Shelby Oaks” (2025). Now, Mark Fischbach’s (Markiplier) feature-length directorial debut, “Iron Lung,” has arrived.

And… it’s a hard movie to rate. This boasts impressive effects and tense moments. It’s also one of the most boring films in recent memory.

“Iron Lung” follows survivors of the apocalypse who launch an expedition to a barren moon with an ocean of blood. It’s based on the 2022 indie horror game of the same name by David Szymanski.

Claustrophobia Without Momentum

“Iron Lung” features a 127-minute runtime. And you can certainly feel it.

“Never-ending” is a singular word that can easily describe the film – in both good and bad ways. Trapped inside a tight, singular location for nearly the entire duration, the movie successfully delivers a sense of claustrophobia. On the contrary, it often leaves you wondering when anything is actually going to happen.

“Iron Lung” repeatedly hints at moving in a bold direction, only to retreat right back into the box. Because of this, it falls into a rinse-and-repeat cycle of paranoia. At first, this approach has its charm. Gradually, however, it wears thin as it becomes abundantly clear that no real resolution is anywhere in sight.

While the stakes do heighten near the end, “Iron Lung” still lacks a satisfying conclusion. Or at least one that justifies the entire experience.

Style Over Substance

Because of this, it’s hard not to feel like more work could have been done in the editing room. “Iron Lung” is self-indulgent. And while it’s exciting to see a director’s full creative vision realized, entire segments could have been removed without altering the overall narrative.

That said, Markiplier’s direction is impressive. He makes the most of the minimalistic location, using lighting to his advantage. Director of photography Philip Roy places the camera in unconventional positions, capturing details through reflections and in obscured spaces. Blurred and dazed visuals are frequently interwoven, giving the audience a sense of disorientation.

The visual style keeps the film engaging, even when the story struggles to do the same.

Blood, Performance and Payoff

Practical effects shine throughout, with buckets upon buckets of fake blood on display. While the effects don’t fully take center stage until the final act, the craftsmanship is evident across the film. When the last 30 minutes arrive, the carnage finally explodes – and it’s undeniably impressive.

Fischbach also stars in the film. It’s a solid effort, but far from flawless. With the movie almost entirely focused on his character, he’s tasked with carrying the weight. While Fischbach convincingly portrays rage and frustration, the quieter emotional moments often fall flat.

Heavily relying on self-dialogue, it’s hard not to wish for more varied delivery at times.

“Iron Lung” is too excessive for its own good. The visuals are striking, but the story never fully comes together in Markiplier’s atmospheric yet meandering debut.

Rating: 2 out of 5