From Controller to Camera: "Iron Lung" and the art of the game adaptation

It shouldn't be a surprise that many cinephiles are also avid gamers. While I'm definitely more of a cozy gamer, my interest was still piqued when I heard that the indie horror game Iron Lung would be adapted for the big screen by none other than the famous gaming YouTuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach).

I find video game adaptations more interesting than other adaptations for one reason: video games are interactive. Even games with linear stories give the player some amount of choice, even if it's something small such as when they are going to jump. Films (obviously) remove this aspect of the story. As I reserved my tickets, I wondered how Iron Lung would capture the feeling of playing the game.

While I was a bit worried that the smaller screen would take the fear factor out of the experience, I still decided to pick the game up on my Steam Deck. I was proven wrong as soon as the game loaded in.

Iron Lung (the game) is utterly terrifying. Maybe this is because I'm used to playing games like Stardew Valley, but I found myself unable to control the anxiety I felt while playing this game.

Both the game and the film are "set in a post-apocalyptic future where an event known as 'The Quiet Rapture' causes all known stars and habitable planets in the universe to disappear". You play as a convict who is forced to blindly explore a blood ocean in a run-down submarine in order to earn your freedom.

The game uses its claustrophobic setting and clever sound design to frighten the player. You can hear every creak, bump and gurgle made by the ship and the unknown objects that swim around it. As I traveled to each point of interest on the map, I began to dread clicking the button to take a picture. In the end, the player is eaten by a gargantuan fish. No matter what order you choose to take the pictures, you are destined to fail.

The lore within the game (which you can access through the submarine's computer) is a great starting point for a film. It has a decent amount of world building without being too specific or confusing. Because you play as a blank slate character, it's easy to put yourself into this situation. This works in the film's favor because there's no true character for the actor to misinterpret.

As I entered the theater to see Iron Lung, there were three key aspects that the film needed to hit for me to consider it a successful adaptation:

1) Explore the game's themes

2) Use in-game mechanics as plot points

3) Preserve the game's feeling of existential dread

First, the film does a great job building on every detail of the game. Both the film and the game explore themes of nihilism, hope, and freedom. It uses the little information that the game gives the player and takes said information to its most logical point. For example, in the game, the player only hears the voice of the scientists, whereas in the film, we get to see them as humanized characters. The film also expands on the little pieces of lore found in the computer such as the civilizations of the C.O.I. and Eden.

"There aren't enough of us left to be throwing lives away, but there's too much at stake not to take calculated risks"

While I don't think he's the best actor (or the worst), Markiplier's portrayal of the player-character (who is named Simon in the film) helps the audience become invested in the story. Simon is desperate, like any of us would be in this situation, but still remains hopeful throughout most of the movie. His relatability allows the audience to see themselves in him, much like they would to the player-character in a game.

Second, the film's use of game mechanics is excellent. I was impressed to see a near-carbon-copy of the in-game map in Simon's bloody hands. The film uses many other in-game events such as the sub filling with blood, the loss of oxygen, and the encounter with the strange star to build suspense.

Third, I think that the film struggled to preserve the game's existential dread. While its use of close-ups help it feel claustrophobic and the sound design incites anxiety, the film is nowhere near as terrifying as the game. Granted, despite not being a fan of horror games, I love a good horror movie and often have trouble finding films that I would consider scary.

However, I believe that the film could have done more to sustain the fear throughout the film. There's an around ten minute section towards the midpoint of the film where Simon repairs the sub. While this section is somewhat important to the plot (Simon must return to the bottom of the sub in the third act), it felt like the perfect time to take a bathroom break.

I also think that the sub in the film could have been a bit more grody and disgusting. While I was impressed by how good the film looked for $3 million, I felt that the film's sub was a bit too pristine for my liking. The low resolution of the game's sub makes it almost resemble the inside of the human body, which mirrors the fact that the player is swimming through an ocean of human blood.

I found the film more exciting as it approached its climax. It was able to gain some of its existential dread points back as we finally see the eldritch being what may have caused the Quiet Rapture, and the use of non-linear shots helped create a feeling of confusion and tension which carried the film to its conclusion.

Overall, I enjoyed watching Iron Lung and was happy to support a film that means so much for indie productions. If you're into body horror, ancient immortal beings, and a few game references, Iron Lung is the film for you!