Directed by Mark Fischbach.
Iron Lung opened in theaters on January 30, 2026.
Distributed by Markiplier Studios.
Iron Lung (2026) Review
Iron Lung is a tense sci-fi horror movie directed by Mark Fischbach.
The story follows a prisoner trapped inside a tiny submarine, forced to explore a blood-filled ocean on a dead moon.
The movie focuses on fear, sound, and tight spaces rather than action.
It feels dark, slow, and unsettling, keeping viewers nervous throughout.
Some people may find the pacing slow, but others will enjoy the creepy atmosphere and unique idea.
Iron Lung stands out because it takes risks and feels different from typical horror films.
It is best for viewers who enjoy suspense, mystery, and psychological horror over jump scares.
CR Rating; 7.5/10.
Iron Lung Actors
Mark Fischbach as Simon (the convict)
DOB: June 28, 1989.
Bio: Better known as Markiplier, Mark Fischbach is a YouTube creator, filmmaker, and content producer.
He built a massive global following over more than a decade with let’s-plays, interactive projects, and charity streams.
Role: Simon is a convict trapped inside a miniature submarine, forced to navigate an ocean of blood on a desolate moon.
The film is a tense, claustrophobic thriller entirely seen through Simon’s perspective.
Fischbach’s performance anchors the story, portraying desperation, paranoia, and escalating dread in a confined, high-stakes environment.
Interesting facts: Fischbach financed, edited, and drove the project to a grassroots theatrical release, screening on thousands of screens worldwide.
Notable works: YouTube: Markiplier channel (millions of subscribers); interactive/short projects such as A Heist with Markiplier and the documentary Markiplier from North Korea.
Caroline Rose Kaplan as Ava
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Caroline Rose Kaplan is an actress with credits in television and independent film.
She has built her career through grounded, character-driven performances in smaller-scale projects, bringing a restrained and naturalistic screen presence.
Role: Ava is a commanding officer figure connected to the Consolidation of Iron.
While the film largely unfolds inside the submarine with Simon, Ava exists in the wider institutional world surrounding the mission.
Interesting facts: Kaplan’s casting was emphasized in early trailers and press because she helps bridge indie dramatic acting with the film’s strange, minimalist sci-fi.
Notable works: The Plot Against America, Proof.
Troy Baker as David
DOB: April 1, 1976.
Bio: American actor and one of the most prolific and recognizable voice performers in modern video games and animation.
Over the past two decades, he has become known for emotionally layered performances that blur the line between voice acting and full dramatic acting.
Role: David is a voice-based or remote-communication character connected to Simon’s mission in Iron Lung.
Operating outside the submarine, David’s dialogue helps convey mission context, pressure, and psychological strain as events unfold.
Interesting facts: Baker’s fame comes largely from video-game lead roles (Joel in The Last of Us, Booker in BioShock Infinite), his casting signals the movie’s ties to gaming culture and the vocal performance demands of a largely audio-driven film.
Notable works: The Last of Us (video game series), BioShock Infinite, Uncharted series, extensive voice work across games and animation.
Elsie Lovelock as the voice of the Speaker (also SM-8 research lead)
DOB: June 10, 1992.
Bio: British voice actress, singer, and songwriter known primarily for voice work in animation, indie games, and online animated projects.
She has built a strong reputation for expressive vocal performances, character-driven singing, and genre versatility, particularly within sci-fi, horror, and animation-adjacent spaces.
Role: Lovelock voices the Speaker, a key off-screen audio presence connected to the mission surrounding Simon and the Iron Lung operation.
The Speaker’s dialogue contributes to the film’s oppressive atmosphere, relaying information, authority, and emotional pressure through voice alone.
Interesting facts: Because Iron Lung relies heavily on sound, radio communication, and unseen figures, Lovelock’s performance functions as a narrative anchor rather than a traditional on-screen role.
Notable works: Voice roles in indie animation and video games.
Elle LaMont as the voice of the Whisper (also SM-8 research assistant)
DOB: September 12, 1981.
Bio: American actress who works across film and television, with a career focused largely on genre projects.
She has appeared in both physical on-screen roles and voice-based performances, often in horror, sci-fi, and thriller spaces.
Role: LaMont provides the voice of the Whisper, an off-screen audio presence that contributes to Iron Lung’s atmosphere of isolation and psychological unease.
The Whisper’s dialogue intensifies the sense of surveillance and unseen authority surrounding Simon’s mission.
Interesting facts: LaMont’s résumé includes practical stunt and genre work, which helps when a small ensemble must convey a large world through few faces.
Notable works: Alita: Battle Angel (supporting role), Mercy Black, and other horror and genre film projects.
Seán McLoughlin as Jack
DOB: February 7, 1990.
Bio: Seán McLoughlin, widely known online as Jacksepticeye, is an Irish YouTube creator and performer who rose to prominence through gaming, commentary, and charity-driven content.
Over more than a decade, he has built one of the platform’s most recognizable creator brands.
Role: McLoughlin appears as Jack, a supporting character connected to the broader mission and research infrastructure surrounding Simon’s assignment.
His role is part of the film’s outer-world framing rather than the submarine-bound core narrative.
Interesting facts: McLoughlin’s appearance continues his long creative relationship with Mark Fischbach, following years of collaborations including Unus Annus and numerous crossovers.
Notable works: YouTube (Jacksepticeye channel), voice/acting cameos in film and TV.
Isaac McKee as Young Simon
DOB: N/A.
Bio: A young performer whose early credits include acting and commercial work.
As a child actor, public biographical details are intentionally limited, but his casting reflects a growing presence in professional screen productions requiring emotional specificity and physical discipline appropriate for genre storytelling.
Role: McKee appears as Young Simon, representing earlier moments from Simon’s life that surface through memory and psychological pressure.
These brief but important sequences help contextualize the adult character’s emotional state.
Interesting facts: Because Iron Lung relies heavily on atmosphere and interior tension, casting a believable younger version of the lead was crucial.
Notable works: Early acting credits and professional child-actor work.
Mick Lauer ‘voice’ (voice of SM-13’s previous occupant)
DOB: December 10, 1980.
Bio: American voice actor, director, writer, and animator with a long-running career in dubbing, animation, and original voice projects.
He is widely recognized within anime and indie animation circles for his ability to deliver distinct, emotionally charged performances, often in limited screen or audio time.
Role: Lauer provides the voice of the previous occupant of SM-13, a neighboring sub-module referenced through audio recordings.
Though brief, the performance is deliberately unsettling, contributing to Iron Lung’s oppressive soundscape and reinforcing the idea that Simon is not the first to face this mission.
Interesting facts: Because Iron Lung relies heavily on audio storytelling, even short vocal appearances carry significant weight.
Notable works: Anime and animation voice roles, directing and writing projects across indie and dubbing productions.
David Pettitt as the Father
DOB: April 18, 1972.
Bio: A working actor with experience across voice performance and on-screen character roles.
His career includes broadcast, narration, and supporting dramatic work, where a controlled, authoritative vocal presence is often central to his casting.
Role: The Father is a peripheral but psychologically important figure connected to Simon’s inner life.
Appearing through limited on-screen moments and/or voice-driven sequences, the role contributes to the film’s emotional framing and sense of inherited expectation, guilt, or memory.
Interesting facts: Pettitt is a longtime working voice actor, his casting continues the film’s reliance on performers who can convey menace and care through voice alone.
Notable works: Voice and supporting roles across film, television, and broadcast projects.
Alanah Pearce as a Familiar Voice
DOB: August 24, 1993.
Bio: Australian writer, presenter, and content creator who built her career in games journalism before moving into development and performance-adjacent roles.
She previously worked at outlets including IGN and Rooster Teeth and later joined Santa Monica Studio as a writer.
Role: Pearce appears in Iron Lung as a credited “Familiar Voice,” contributing brief voice lines used to populate the film’s wider off-screen world.
Her cameo functions as an Easter egg for fans of the original game and the creator community, reinforcing the movie’s connection to its gaming roots without pulling focus from the central submarine narrative.
Interesting facts: Pearce’s inclusion is part of Iron Lung’s deliberate crossover between internet creators, game developers, and traditional filmmaking.
Notable works: Game journalism and writing (IGN, Santa Monica Studio), voice credits in games and small screen roles.
More Actors
• David Szymanski as cameo as a fictionalized version of himself (game’s creator).
• Rahul Kohli as additional voices.
• Asher Wagh as Children of Eden.
• Kazuki Jalal as Children of Eden.
FAQ – Iron Lung (2025) Movie
What is Iron Lung about?
Iron Lung is a sci-fi horror film based on the 2022 indie video game of the same name. It follows a convict piloting a tiny submarine through a blood-filled ocean on a dead moon after a catastrophic event known as “The Quiet Rapture.”
Is Iron Lung faithful to the video game?
Early viewer discussions note that while the movie expands the lore and adds structure, it remains faithful to the game’s core premise.
How scary is the Iron Lung movie?
Iron Lung is scary in a slow, psychological way. It focuses on tension, claustrophobia, and creepy atmosphere, not jump scares. The fear builds gradually, making it feel unsettling rather than shocking.
How long is Iron Lung?
The film’s runtime is approximately 2 hours 7 minutes.
Where can I watch Iron Lung?
As of early 2026, Iron Lung is only playing in theaters.
Conclusion
Iron Lung (2026) is a bold and unsettling horror film that relies on atmosphere rather than spectacle.
Its claustrophobic setting, eerie sound design, and slow-burn tension create a unique viewing experience.
While the pacing and minimal story may not appeal to everyone, the film succeeds in delivering constant unease and psychological fear.
It stands out as a creative and risky project, especially as a game-to-film adaptation.
Overall, Iron Lung is a strong choice for fans of experimental sci-fi horror who appreciate mood, suspense, and originality.