Indie-produced media, literature, and music could be considered this decade’s Pop culture, because indie-based handiwork has recently been thriving throughout many industries where indie content isn’t typically distributed.
For example, the American cinema!
Recently, theaters across America have been screening the horror indie film, “Iron Lung.” Directed, written, and entirely produced by Mark Fischbach, more widely known under his YouTube username: Markiplier. He is typically known for his humorous gaming content.
The movie is based on the video game, which Markiplier has been infatuated with for some time. The game, also with the same title, was made by David Szymanski and takes place inside a small, rustic submarine submerged in an ocean of blood on an alien moon. The main character, Simon (a convict played by Markiplier), is the pilot of a submarine that must scavenge the blood moon for resources.
Simon faces many unnatural and perilous misadventures while below the surface. He finds terrifying, indescribable monsters in the deep ocean, and uncovers that this journey will result in his inevitable demise. The movie captured many of the video game’s significant and intricate aspects, which many fans appreciate.
The movie performed unexpectedly well at the end of January and at the start of February. Many fans anticipate that it’ll only be one of many independent productions that will revamp and refresh the passion and creative spark in American cinema. There isn’t anyone more passionate and serious about cinema than Markiplier.
The entire film was self-funded by Markeplier himself. It grossed around $44 million, and he expended $3 millionfor the movie. It is currently the 7th highest-grossing film of 2026 worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.
“Iron Lung” was a great success because it quickly obtained three times its original budget in just the first night of its release, a tough accomplishment for many directors to achieve. However, only a few days after its release, the movie mysteriously vanished from official box office webpages like Box Office Mojo.
Fans and audiences speculated it was the evil doing of the website’s owners, and theorized that their incentive was to eradicate any independent productions from professional settings. According to the programmers of these websites, however, it was just a misunderstanding. The true reason for the disappearance was that a few documents and important files were received late, and so the movie couldn’t be listed with the rest.
Still, though, some fans are suspicious of these excuses and still theorize that these corporations are machinating some malevolent scheme against smaller film groups. Despite all the blame, accidents, and speculation, there is no doubt that indie has become a revolutionary prospect that many look forward to welcoming; that includes young audiences in particular.
Like high school students or young artists, many of the younger generations prefer the feeling of self-produced projects. BCCHS student Anthony Martinez (10) shared his support for the uprising of all independent and individual artists, including Markiplier’s efforts and production skills: “I think indie will be great for future generations, and these creators [Such as Markiplier] are bringing new potential, skills, and technology that’ll advance the performance of future productions.”
Martinez believes that, “If it’s especially to support all indie producers, then we should also go and support Markiplier’s ‘Iron Lung’ movie.” Markiplier has made a monumental achievement—although he has always been a good role model, he and his movie are now inspirations to many indie creators.
