Independent-ish

By Sydney Johnson

‘Iron Lung’ an independent film created by the YouTuber ‘Markiplier’ has dominated the box office for two consecutive weeks. Some are questioning if it is a true ‘indie’ film, given its high profile director. 

Mark Fischbach, known online as ‘Markiplier’, has been a YouTube content creator for over 20 years, primarily posting video game playthroughs. Now amassing 38.8 million followers, his fanbase has anticipated his first film since it was introduced in 2023.  

‘Iron Lung’ is one of the biggest independent feature films of the year so far, competing with other horror films with budgets over $40 million, such as ‘Send Help’ and ‘Dracula’. The film sold out before its premiere and has grossed $18.1 million on a $3 million budget. 

Courtesy of YouTube

One student says that a media fanbase does not invalidate independent filmmaking nor translate into box-office success. 

“I could have 100 million followers and tell the studio, ‘I'm an independent filmmaker, look at my followers.’ That is not a manuscript. Everybody who follows you is not going to pay $15, $20 to go see your film in a theater,” said Rel Dowdell, a filmmaker and educator at Hampton University. 

He has experienced the process Fischbach went through in writing and directing a film, and believes that his social media presence is not the source of the film's success because the forms of entertainment are so different. 

Given that the film sold out its opening weekend due to fan anticipation, others believe its content is not worthy of the recognition it has been receiving.

“Admittedly, the film was not that great,” said Qadar Al-Uqdah, a Hampton University student who has played the 2022 released, indie horror game ‘Iron Lung’, from which the film is based. “[The film] basically has the same pull as one that sticks a fancy director’s name on it.” 

Al-Uqdah stated that some things from game to screen simply did not transfer well. He did not consider the success Fischbach has seen, a result of the film's quality, but a representation of how influencers are ‘micro-celebrities’ in a capacity. 

As of now, the film has grossed six times its budget and has remained in the top three domestic earners since its release. While some may not consider it a true independent film, many are hopeful that Fischbach's success will bring more small and experimental projects to the big screen.