“Iron Lung” A Slow Burn, Suspenseful Adaptation That Fans of the Video Game Will Enjoy
- Matt Palmer
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
“Iron Lung” is a 2022 submarine simulation horror game developed and published by David Szymanski. In the game, the player controls an unnamed convict who explores an ocean of blood on a desolate moon in a small, rusty submarine nicknamed the “Iron Lung.”
The game was released for Windows on March 10, 2022, with a Nintendo Switch port released on December 19, 2022. The game was later released for the PS5 on October 15, 2025 and Android on December 12, 2025. Now, a film adaptation of the video game is now on the big screen and fans of the video game should not be disappointed.
The stars and planets have disappeared. Only individuals aboard space stations or starships were left to give the end a name - The Quiet Rapture. After decades of decay and crumbling infrastructure, the Consolidation of Iron has made a discovery on a barren moon designated AT-5.
An ocean of blood. Hoping to discover desperately needed resources they immediately launch an expedition. A submarine is crafted and a convict is welded inside.
Due to the pressure and depth of the ocean the forward viewport has been encased in metal. If successful, they will earn their freedom. If not, another will follow. This will be the 13th expedition.
I’ll easily admit that before I started seeing the trailer for this movie and reading about it online, I never heard of the video game. From what I’ve read about the game, it does have limited mainstream recognition primarily because it’s a short, minimalist, indie, experimental horror title, rather than a typical blockbuster game. The movie adaptation of the game is an all right watch and I expect that mainly anyone who is into the game will enjoy it.
“Iron Lung” delivers an intense experience that can leave you at the edge of your seat
for parts of the movie. The atmosphere of the movie is quite intense since the entire time is practically set on the submarine and easily gives off a claustrophobic vibe. While this is a self-financed indie/passion project from YouTuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) - whom I never heard of - the overall quality of this movie is actually decent.
Despite a low budget (said to be roughly $3 million), the cinematography is really great and I thoroughly enjoyed its creative use of close ups and surveillance-style camera angles. The thundering soundtrack that we hear throughout also does a fairly good job heightening the tension. A major selling point of this movie (that I also enjoyed) is the use of practical effects, especially in the final act - which is a major stand out sequence.
Now, while “Iron Lung” can be a decent watch for the most part, the movie can get really slow at times. From what I’ve read about the game, it takes at least an hour to play through the entire game. So, “Iron Lung” could’ve worked better as a short film instead of a movie that’s a little over two hours long.
“Iron Lung” is a claustrophobic, slow burn sci-fi/horror based on the 2022 video game. Fans of the game will really enjoy its atmospheric tension, sound and visual design, and the very tense final act. Viewers who may not have heard of the game (or played it) may not enjoy it nearly as much.
MPA: Rated R for language, bloody images and some gore (runtime 127 minutes)
TRIVIA: Being an indie project, the movie was only slated to show at 60 independent theaters. But shortly after the trailer release, the number grew to 1500+ theaters in a matter of days. The movie also holds the world record for most fake blood used in a movie, approx. 80,000 gallons, beating 2013's “Evil Dead” (70,000 gallons).
Within less than a week of its official trailer releasing and ticket sales launching, the number of theaters playing the film expanded from 60 to over 1,500+ theaters, with the help of fans as well as major theater chains including AMC, Regal and Cinemark.
The movie holds the world record for most fake blood used in a movie, approximately 80,000 gallons, beating Evil Dead (2013)'s 70,000.
In the game the film is based off, there is a hidden Easter egg that changes every texture to a photo of Mark's (the director and star of the film) face.
David Szymanski, creator of the video game this is based on, was involved with the film since pre-production, assisting with its screenplay and being on set during filming. He also has a small cameo in the film.
Based on the 2022 video game of the same name.
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