Iron Lung (Reel 1)

A YouTuber known for his video-game play-throughs, "Markiplier", has made an independent, feature-length film--it is an adaptation of an indie horror game of the same name: Iron Lung. Iron Lung achieved a "smash hit" opening, grossing over $21 million globally against a reported $3 million budget. His success proves to the world that we don't need Hollywood. Zoe found it surreal and inspiring to see his hard-work, blood, sweat and tears finally end up on the big screen, but she didn't necessarily love the movie's story.

Zoe doesn't dive into spoilers, but it boils down to not understanding the worldbuilding and lore the film sets up, but she suspects fans of this content will understand it better. The film is literally about a submarine in an ocean of blood, so it is not for the whole family; there is also quite a bit of language. But Markiplier conquering the Hollywood system to get his movie across America is a massive accomplishment.

Have you seen the film? What do you think? Did you enjoy it? Let Zoe know by sending a shoutout on the real fm app or texting real fm at 833-433-REAL.

In a world where movie tickets are pricey and you could spend hours browsing streaming platforms, Zoe is here to help by giving you the nuts and bolts of a movie or TV show without the spoilers! But movies and shows are more than just mindless consumables, they’re stories that tell us something about our world and the people around us. Zoe invites you into a deeper conversation about media and how to navigate modern storytelling.