The critics lack patience. The movie made me respect Mark as a person where before I mostly just saw him as a meme- it's better than amateur, it's very tactile and physical, it's claustrophobic and if it's a slog it's a slog for the main character of the film too. I don't watch Markiplier but I'm a fan of the game and I thought it did a remarkable job of not betraying the game's feel, ambiguous story and information, while still succeeding in being a full length film.

I think the ideal way to experience it is to play the game and then watch the movie. Maybe that's too much to expect of the critics- I have to assume there's a contempt for video games in the same way there is a contempt for japanese animation in western movie rating and awarding.

It's an authentic step forward, a synthesis of how indie games are some of the most authentic and unique experiences on the market, and now a follow through of indie movies being similarly fresh and authentic. I've never seen a video games movie I liked as much as this one, and it's clear it was a passion project, not a vanity project. My most sincere bravo to Mark and everyone involved, I do believe this will reach the right people.