‘Trashy’ cracks open the raw, aching heart of teenage rebellion with a brutal honesty that feels almost too close to home. Alyssa Standen’s short film plunges us into the world of fourteen-year-old Naomi (Emma Reinagel), a precocious kid on the edge of breaking free.

The film wastes no time. Naomi’s opening narration, swinging in a local park, watching tweens kiss, sets the tone: innocence clashing with a yearning for something more dangerous, more real. This is not a sanitized coming-of-age tale. It’s a sharp-edged dive into the grinding reality of small-town youth who face a future thin on promise and thick on escapism.

Reuniting with her estranged cousin Courtney (Makayla Quillen) – a wild card – Naomi is pulled into a night streaked with drugs and risky thrills. Dane Etto’s cinematography is superb, capturing the stillness of the town and the electric volatility of adolescent chaos with equal precision.

The narrative tightens around Naomi’s awkward, desperate flirtations with Chris (Jason Diers), her dalliance with drugs, and the simmering tension with Courtney, creating a real, gritty tableau of teenage loyalty and betrayal. The film does not flinch from the nitty gritty, nor does it waste time with clichés or fluffy distractions.

Emma Reinagel leads with an authentic, nuanced performance that perfectly captures Naomi’s restless spirit. Supporting actors Makayla Quillen and Jason Diers add gritty realism, making every moment feel genuine and immediate.

‘Trashy is a stellar’, tightly executed short – a slice of teen life that’s both painfully specific and universally relatable. It’s a rare treat that respects its audience, refusing to soften the edges of a world where innocence and destruction collide. Alyssa Standen shows sharp instincts and a bold voice, delivering a story that feels both real and unforgettable. This is filmmaking with guts. Highly recommended.