Introduction
I just got out of Iron Lung (2026) and wanted to share some thoughts while they are still fresh. For context, I went in completely blind. I have never watched any of Markiplier's content, never played the game this is based on, did not watch a trailer, did not read reviews. I had only seen a poster. I genuinely had no idea what kind of movie this was supposed to be.
It ended up being a sci-fi horror mostly set in a brutally confined space. This page is here to help you decide if it is worth your time.
Is This Movie Worth Watching
I left pretty neutral. Wait for streaming.
If you are into atmospheric, slow burn sci-fi horror that prioritizes mood and disorientation over traditional scares, there might be something here for you. If you are a fan of the game or Markiplier's content, you might connect with it differently than I did.
If you want a clear narrative payoff or you are not in the mood to feel mentally exhausted for two hours, this is probably a wait for streaming situation. The dialogue requires subtitles in some scenes due to the audio mix, so watching at home might actually be the better experience.
Spoiler Stance
This review avoids major spoilers. Honestly, I am not sure I could spoil it even if I wanted to.
Content Warnings
Some 'mild' body horror. Lots and lots of blood. Apparently an insane amount of fake blood was used, something like 80,000 gallons. But it felt more...natural like water than shocking and visually striking.
What Worked
From a technical standpoint, I was impressed. The camera work is surprisingly dynamic and diverse for such a small setting. Tight perspectives cut to sudden wides, smooth tracking shots that actually reveal information. The use of light is clearly intentional and thematically cooked into the film, even referenced in the dialogue itself. The camerawork does a lot to keep the world from feeling visually stale.
From the jump, it leans hard into tension through sound design, light and the absence of it, and the constant reminder of time. There is a metronome like rhythm, reminders of dwindling oxygen, and creepy visuals that are mostly only visible in brief flashes. You are rarely allowed to feel comfortable or settled in.
I respect the commitment to practical effects. The production clearly put in the work.
What Did Not Work
This movie is mentally exhausting. It is just over two hours, and by the end I was not sure whether I was meant to fully understand what I had seen or simply experience it. There were long stretches where I felt disoriented and unsure if what I was seeing was psychological, environmental, or something else entirely.
At times I genuinely wished for subtitles, not because the dialogue was bad, but because the audio mix made certain moments hard to catch.
When the credits rolled, there was not much of a buzz in the theater. People lingered expecting an after credits scene. I heard others trying to talk through what they had just watched. I overheard confusion, frustration, anger. One guy said he was pissed he watched it at all. The best comment I heard was "it was not that bad", and I am probably closer to that camp.
I am not sure the payoff matched the effort. The film felt like being stuck inside someone else's fever dream for two hours. By the end, I was drained in a "my brain is fried and I am not sure what I took away" kind of way.
Final Verdict
Catch It Later
I did not hate it. I did not love it. I admire parts of it. But I am struggling to find the payoff. Wait for streaming where you can turn on subtitles and pause when you need a breather.
Join the Discussion
Tell me do you agree? I want to know if you have seen it. 669 AFTER 12, 669 238 3712. If you want to keep it going, share your thoughts, join the subreddit, or let me know what you took away from it because I am genuinely curious.