The film “Iron Lung,” released in January, is a direct adaptation of David Szymanski’s indie horror game of the same name. However, the cinematic version deliberately expands and alters the narrative, allowing the game and movie to exist within slightly different “canons.”
The movie is directed by Mark Edward Fischbach, more commonly referred to as Markiplier, and marks his first debut into film. Going far beyond the call of duty of simply starring in the movie, Mark took it upon himself to be self-written, self-financed, and play the main lead character of the film. With Szymanski being heavily overseeing the production as well.
Commitment to the project was so great that he turned down a role in the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie due to scheduling conflicts with Iron Lung. The film has been incredibly successful, making over $50 million on a budget of $4 million.
Iron Lung the Game
Let’s dive into the game itself. Released for Windows in 2022, Iron Lung is set in a future where humanity has conquered the stars, only to be devastated by an event known as “The Quiet Rapture.” This catastrophe left the species with no habitable planets, stranded on the space stations where they fled.
Playing as an unnamed convict, you are offered freedom in exchange for a grim task: explore a blood ocean on a recently discovered moon and photograph specific locations.
The Horror of Indifference
The lore and mystery surrounding Iron Lung often feel like a narrative loop—questions leading only to more questions with no definitive answers. While this may frustrate some, the ambiguity serves as an effective backdrop for the impending horror, enhancing the game’s “oppressively uncaring” atmosphere. Just as the universe is indifferent to humanity’s survival, the authorities are indifferent to yours. You are sent to the bottom of a horrifying sea with no check-ins or support; you hear a single voice at the start of the game, and then you are truly alone.
Trapped in a Crimson Coffin
For horror game fans who suffer from thalassophobia or claustrophobia and are trying to challenge themselves and be uncomfortable, Iron Lung is an earnest recommendation for confronting such fears. The submarine offers almost no room to move, no light source and a monochromatic palette of dark reds. An incomplete map and a primitive control panel do little to alleviate the sense of helplessness.
Blind Navigation
The only chance you have to look into the crimson sea is the camera you are given, which is of course located in the back of the submarine. That one short trip is enough to make you tense up, being away from the control panel, unable to move the sub out of danger and check the camera at the same time.
You are helpless when you take a picture, but you have to do your job. You aren’t even given the luxury of making sense of your surroundings, as your camera’s quality is quite poor.
In the End (of Everything)
Whether it’s the game or the film, Iron Lung proves to be one of the coolest executions of horror out there. From the bleak setting, unique feeling of isolation, and haunting visuals, I strongly urge readers to check it out, as well as check out some of David Szymanski’s other works, such as “Dusk,” “Squirrel Stapler” and “Gloomwood.”
