“Iron Lung,” in its original game and later movie adaptation, is an enigmatic experience.
The sci-fi film focuses on Simon, a convict who is sent down into a dystopian ocean of blood to discover what lies beneath the surface. Simon is sealed inside of an overheating, jerry-built submarine with only meager supplies and tools to survive.
The film is a breath of fresh air in the current film industry. What I love most about the movie is the care that was put into it.
As an independent film produced in an era of Hollywood-dominated filmmaking, the movie’s success is an inspiration to all aspiring filmmakers. With a budget of under $3 million, the film earned over $21 million in its opening weekend alone.
Internet celebrity Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach produced, wrote, directed and starred in the movie adaptation.
To me, “Iron Lung” is a unique spin on the “prophesied hero” archetype. While the pacing can sometimes be confusing, I really enjoyed the poignant interpretation of the classic monomyth.
I thought that the protagonist, Simon, was interesting in his complexity. Simon is a character who is introduced as a convict and a terrorist towards the current world order, but throughout the movie is shown to want to do right. I find the struggle between fear and morality to be compelling.
There is something undeniably charming about “Iron Lung”. Without spoiling it for future viewers, the ending was thought-provoking and stuck with me as an audience member. I think that this movie is special in what it represents in the film industry and for the future of independent filmmaking.
Lillian Klopf, reporter
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