On Jan. 30, Youtuber Markiplier released the independently funded movie “Iron Lung,” making $18.1 million in its weekend debut alone. Costing $3 million with no money spent on marketing, it sustained first place on box office charts for the entire weekend.
Having acted in several of his other projects such as “In Space with Markiplier,” “A Heist with Markiplier,” “A Date with Markiplier” and “Who Killed Markiplier,” Markiplier was used to acting in main focus roles.
Having 15 actors for the movie, most of which were on screen for a few minutes only, it’s no surprise that Markiplier is pulling the main weight of the entertainment value.
“I had no clue acting was not his day job,” said Sarah Vincent, a critic from Rotten Tomatoes.
Based on the indie game “Irong Lung,” made by David Szymanski, who gave his full support towards the movie, it follows the plot of Convict, played by Markiplier, as he travels through an ocean of blood looking for anything that could possibly help the few people left after a “quiet rapture” made all signs of Earth and the stars vanish, leaving only a few lone space stations left.
Being independently released with no big studios nor marketing pushing it, Markiplier himself was surprised of the outcome.
“I just never expected something like this when you’ve only had your reputation and your word to go on,” said Markiplier.
The movie was released in 4,164 theaters worldwide, even selling out in his hometown of Milford, Ohio.
The movie appeared well received, earning a 60% approval rating from critics and an 88% from the audience on the Rotten Tomatoes website.
“Iron Lung offers a uniquely suffocating descent into psychological and cosmic horror,” Roberto Ortiz, a Rotten Tomatoes critic, said. “It’s slow, weird, and draining in a way that feels oddly beautiful.”
“Iron Lung” is still available for viewing in the Grand Theatre located in Hattiesburg.
by Malachi Davis
