Last week was no ordinary cinematic experience. As Hollywood's big-budget stars dazzled the red carpet, an unexpected dark horse emerged to steal their thunder. Unexpectedly, the mainstream thriller "Send Help" didn't dominate the box office. Neither did the much-talked-about posh vanity documentary. The spotlight was instead grabbed by a low-budget feature, "Iron Lung", by YouTube sensation Mark Fischbach, better known as Markiplier.

Markiplier is a household name for gaming enthusiasts, with his charismatic personality and melodic voice earning him a virtual sea of loyal followers. Known for his humorous and spirited commentary, Markiplier has become a guiding voice for online gaming communities. So, when he decided to create and star in "Iron Lung", his fans rallied without hesitation, launching Fischbach’s directorial debut into the US box office felicity.

This refreshing victory for Markiplier and independent filmmakers should be seen as a beacon of hope in the current environment of corporate mergers and dwindling resources. The "Iron Lung" tale, while murky, futuristically grim drawing on inspiration from David Szymanski’s 2022 video game, is a testament to creativity meeting believability within the constraints of a limited budget.

Our restless hero Simon, portrayed by Fischbach himself, embarks on a somewhat ambiguous mission on an "ocean of blood" in a rickety underwater vessel, with freedom as the promised reward. The setting's bleakness, combined with the almost indecipherable instructions he receives through his subpar communication system, begets a thrilling atmosphere of suspense.

This murky, post-apocalyptic future sees mankind inhabiting space colonies after a cosmic calamity wipes out stars and planets. Rather than a glossy, high-tech future, Simon navigates his mission with the help of grainy images and paper maps. Yet the narrative occasionally gets lost under incessant score and distorted transmissions, creating a sense of confusion which mirrors Simon’s own journey.

Circling authenticity relentlessly, Simon is knocked about his submarine by turbulence, discovers an desolate predecessor's vessel, and receives distressing warnings, all while inch by inch losing his sanity to the confines of his craft. Our hero's survival is hanging by a thread as his oxygen supply dwindles, and the constant leaks hint at the decaying integrity of his vessel. However, the claustrophobic setting doesn't always deliver the spine-chilling effects it potentially could.

Fischbach's directorial debut offers moments of satisfaction and contemplation. Despite its repetitious narrative, "Iron Lung's" design elements and cinematography are commendable for its modest budget. Strikes of harsh cabin light amidst the oppressive darkness and the rhythmic flow of scenes do their best to maintain tension.

That being said, the non-stop intensities of Hulshult's score often threaten to override the movie's dialogue. And for all the copious amounts of blood and unavoidable f-bombs, some might argue that "Iron Lung" could've benefitted from a touch more actual horror content.

Despite these hiccups in his directorial debut, Fischbach’s success in outperforming major Hollywood productions is unarguably a tremendous achievement. "Iron Lung" might just represent the breath of fresh air the film industry needs, proving that low-budget creativity can, indeed, hold its own against Hollywood's titanic endeavors.