TL;DR: Markiplier’s Iron Lung is a blood-soaked, R-rated horror film that marks a massive turning point for YouTube creators moving into traditional cinema. It’s intense, claustrophobic, and definitely not for the younger set, despite Markiplier’s huge following among middle-schoolers. If your teen is begging to see it, they’re likely fans of the Iron Lung game or Markiplier’s long-standing horror gameplay videos.
If you’ve spent any time around a kid with a tablet in the last ten years, you know Markiplier (Mark Fischbach). He’s the guy with the deep voice and the expressive face who has screamed his way through every horror game imaginable. But as of February 2026, he’s officially moved beyond the webcam.
Markiplier’s debut feature film, Iron Lung, is finally here, and it is a fascinating, terrifying, and deeply "un-YouTube" piece of media. It’s not a goofy comedy or a low-budget influencer project. It’s a serious, R-rated horror film that has been trending since the first teaser dropped.
If your teen is talking about "the blood movie" or asking why Markiplier spent his own millions to fill a set with thousands of gallons of fake blood, here is the breakdown of what you’re actually dealing with.
The movie is an adaptation of the 2022 indie horror hit Iron Lung by David Szymanski. The premise is bleak: In a post-apocalyptic future where every star and planet in the universe has vanished, the remnants of humanity live on space stations. They find an ocean of liquid blood on a desolate moon and send a convict down in a tiny, rusted submarine (the "Iron Lung") to investigate.
The catch? The submarine has no windows. The pilot has to navigate using only a map, a proximity sensor, and a camera that takes grainy, delayed still photos.
Markiplier didn't just star in this; he wrote, directed, and self-funded it. This matters because it means there was no studio executive telling him to "tone it down for the kids." He went all in on the R-rating, focusing on practical effects and a sense of dread that is honestly pretty impressive for a first-time director.
For a lot of our kids, Markiplier is more than just a "YouTuber." He’s a fixture of their childhood. He’s the guy who made Five Nights at Freddy's a global phenomenon.
When a creator they’ve watched for a decade makes a "real" movie, it feels like a communal win. But there’s also the "Ohio" factor. In current teen slang, "Ohio" has become shorthand for anything weird, cursed, or nonsensical. The idea of a submarine sinking into an ocean of blood is peak "Only in Ohio" energy for a 14-year-old.
It’s also important to distinguish this from "brain rot" content. While things like Skibidi Toilet are fast-paced, nonsensical, and designed to hijack short attention spans, Iron Lung is the opposite. It’s slow-burn, atmospheric, and requires a lot of focus. For teens, seeing a creator they love make something "prestige" is a huge draw.
The search results weren't kidding—this movie is drenched in blood. Markiplier famously broke a record for the amount of fake blood used on a film set, and he actually ended up in the hospital during production because he got too much of the stuff in his eyes/ears.
Here is what you need to be ready for:
- Extreme Claustrophobia: The entire movie takes place inside a cramped, decaying metal box. If your kid has anxiety about tight spaces, this will be a rough watch.
- The Gore Factor: While it’s not "slasher" gore (people getting limbs hacked off), it is visceral. There is a constant sense of being submerged in biological fluid.
- Jump Scares: It’s a horror movie based on a game known for one of the most effective jump scares in indie history. It will make them jump.
- Existential Dread: The "Quiet Rapture" (the disappearance of the universe) is a heavy theme. It’s a very "no way out" kind of story.
Ask our chatbot about specific content triggers in Iron Lung
Because of the Markiplier connection, you’re going to have 10 and 11-year-olds begging to see this.
Our take? This is firmly for ages 15+.
The R-rating is there for a reason. While Markiplier’s YouTube channel is generally "safe-ish" (mostly just swearing and loud noises), this movie is a mature artistic pivot.
If they are under 13:
It’s a "no" for most families. The psychological tension alone is a lot, and the "blood ocean" imagery can be nightmare fuel for younger kids. If they want that Markiplier fix, steer them toward his In Space with Markiplier interactive series, which is much more adventurous and fun.
If they are 13-15:
This is the "maybe" zone. If your teen has already played Five Nights at Freddy's or watched Stranger Things, they might be fine, but you should probably watch the trailer with them first. Be aware that the "blood" aspect isn't just a gimmick; it's the environment.
If they are 16+:
They’ve likely seen worse on TikTok, honestly. At this age, the conversation should be less about "is this too scary" and more about "is this a good movie?" It’s a great opportunity to talk about how creators are changing the film industry.
If your kid wants that "spooky underwater" or "indie horror" vibe but isn't ready for the R-rated blood bath, check these out:
- Subnautica: A fantastic survival game about being stranded on an ocean planet. It’s beautiful, but the "deep sea" horror is very real. (Ages 10+)
- Five Nights at Freddy's (Movie): The PG-13 gateway drug for horror fans. It’s much more accessible and less "bleak" than Iron Lung.
- A Quiet Place: High tension and "sensory" horror (sound vs. sight) without the extreme gore.
- Stardew Valley: Look, if they need a "brain cleanse" after seeing something scary, there is nothing better than farming in Pelican Town.
If you decide to let them watch it, or if they’ve already seen it at a friend’s house (it happens), use it as a bridge to talk about digital culture.
- The "Creator Economy": "It’s pretty wild that a guy who started by playing games in his bedroom just made a major motion picture. What do you think that means for the future of Hollywood?"
- Practical vs. CGI: "Did you know they used real liquid for the blood instead of just drawing it on a computer? Does that make it scarier or just more 'gross'?"
- The "Vibe": "Why do you think your generation is so into this kind of 'liminal space' horror (like the Backrooms)?"
Markiplier’s Iron Lung is a legitimate horror film that deserves to be treated as such—not just a "YouTube video on the big screen." It’s a blood-soaked, high-stress experience that is perfect for older teens who love the genre, but it’s likely too much for the younger fans who usually watch Markiplier’s Let's Plays.
As parents, we don't have to "get" why an ocean of blood is entertaining, but we should respect that for our kids, this is a major cultural moment. Just maybe bring a towel. Or a barf bag.
Learn more about Markiplier's impact on gaming culture
Next Steps:
- Check out our guide to YouTube parental controls to manage what they see on his channel.
- If they love the "trapped" feeling of the movie, look into escape room board games for a family night that’s tense but blood-free.