If you were introduced to a movie that’s directed by a YouTuber, surely you would think that it was small-time, lackluster, maybe even illegitimate. However, it’s hard to call Mark “Markiplier” Fischbach a YouTuber anymore. He’s the director and the star of “Iron Lung,” a film in cinemas all over the world, grossing $47 million with just a $3 million budget. That three-million-dollar budget was all paid for by the creator, Markiplier. How did Markiplier, a YouTuber, make more money than some trained movie-making professionals? You’d be surprised to hear the jump from YouTuber to actor and director isn’t as crazy as it sounds.

Since the pacing starts slowly, “Iron Lung” easily could have been a slog, but Fischbach’s acting propels you through the narrative, constantly leaving you entertained and wondering, “How can things get any worse for this guy?”

How can a YouTuber ever show professional-level acting in a movie? For Fischbach, his acting career actually started 14 years and 38 million subscribers ago. YouTubers by nature, especially of the “let’s play” category, like Fischbach, have to be overtly expressive. They have to make you feel entertained, and to do so, they must react with all their personality, all the while showing a wide range of emotions. Actors, of course, learn the same skills. It’s easy to see how his experience as a YouTuber of the “let’s play” genre helps him act, which isn’t too dissimilar to how he acts during his own videos. 

Markiplier’s specific genre of YouTube videos does help him in acting much more than other YouTube genres; however, directing is a skill that YouTubers of all genres improve on. Even things like Music, Video Essays, and ASMR are all directed as a film would be.

Markiplier, in particular, always dabbled in filmmaking more than your average YouTuber has. What makes Mark different from other YouTubers is his special projects, which were at first comedy shorts and skits but over time became whole YouTube movies, like “A Heist with Markiplier” and even documentaries like “Markiplier From North Korea”. With his first cinema-worthy film, “Iron Lung,” he, in a sense, directed his way up to the commercial level. 

“Iron Lung’s” pacing and writing are what make it so incredibly unique compared to other horror movies.. It blends cosmic horror, psychological dread, and science fiction so perfectly, ultimately creating a filmgoing experience that will leave you more intrigued than when you started. If you’re expecting a thriller, you’ll be disappointed. “Iron Lung” is an incredibly slow burn, with a more abstract, omnipresent horror rather than anything that will outright jumpscare you. The atmosphere, universe, and pacing are so impressive that it’s difficult to keep in mind that it was directed by a YouTuber. 

“Iron Lung” will never hold your hand. It throws you into its universe and tells you what happens, but not how they did. This allows the viewer to come up with their own predictions and interpretations of events, characters, and things in the film. This movie is not for everybody; it expects you to be actively watching and thinking about its universe. If you don’t follow along to every little detail you’re given, you won’t know what’s happening. By the end of the movie, you’ll feel like “Iron Lung” was a fever dream, which normally wouldn’t be a good thing, but “Iron Lung” is definitely trying to feel that way. Its bizarre nature works wonders with the horror and mysterious plot to make an atmosphere that feels perfectly crafted.

Markiplier truly did it his way. When he needed a director, he directed. When he needed actors, he cast himself and his friends. Hollywood, eat your heart out because a YouTuber with no professional training was able to fund, direct, and act in a movie born from the concept of an indie game. Independent filmmakers are still able to thrive and succeed in a movie industry dominated by big names.