Boy Trouble is a dark comedy short film about three friends confronting relationship red flags over a boozy summer evening—and one of them might be dating a serial killer. Set against the Pacific Northwest's lush greenery and framed through a genre-bending lens, the story blends sharp wit, horror tropes, and female friendship into a bite-sized satire about the dangers we excuse in the name of love.

Written by Blake Mertens and Stephanie Rose Rexus, and directed by an award-winning creative team, Boy Trouble is inspired by late-night true crime binges, the Bechdel test, and the types of “nice guys” women are taught to trust. This story matters to us because it’s fun, fearless, and rooted in lived experience. It's the kind of film we wish we’d seen in our twenties—before we knew how to listen to our gut. We’re currently in pre-production and are raising funds to bring Boy Trouble to life at the level of quality it deserves. Your support will go directly toward:

• Paying our cast and crew fairly
• Renting high-quality camera equipment
• Securing props and costumes
• Feeding everyone on set (a well-fed crew is a happy crew!)
• Post-production costs like editing, color correction, and sound design
• Festival submissions and promotional efforts

Meet The Team

Blake Mertens is a writer/director who resides in the Pacific Northwest. He majored in Film Production at Central Washington University and has written and directed multiple narrative short films since 2017. His film, “Goop or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Mom,” was an official selection of the Oregon Short Film Festival and was a finalist for Best Drama. Most recently, he participated in the Seattle 48 Hour Film Festival where the film he wrote and directed, “Hot Off the Hook,” won the award for Best Special Effects. Blake’s films often focus on the absurdity of dramatic situations and embrace the comedy naturally found within these scenarios. He also likes to branch out in writing for other genres including horror, action, adventure, and mystery. His screenplays and short films often mix genres in a way that reflect the complexities of everyday people and life in general. As a director, Blake is a strong collaborator and open to changes that fit the story. He ultimately wants to make sure everyone has a voice and enjoys their time on set, so they can look back fondly on their experience, while also knowing that it is a project of which they can be proud.

Stephanie Rose Rexus' journey with film production began when she was attending University and found that the people she was meeting did not have the same interest in cinema as she did. Feeling like a fish out of water, she got the excellent idea to transfer and pursue her passions, and the rest is history. Stephanie’s work first appeared in a public context in 2017 when her documentary short-film, From Ink to Skin was featured at the Ellensburg Film Festival. She has since been recognized with several NSPRA and WSPRA Awards from 2022 to 2024, including Best in Show at the 2023 WSPRAs. Additionally, Hot off the Hook, on which she acted as producer, earned Best Special Effects at the 2024 Seattle 48-Hour Film Project. Her dedication to impactful storytelling was further validated when a clip from one of her documentary shorts was featured on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Throughout her career she has worked on commercial sets, created documentaries and short-form narrative pieces, as well as made an appearance on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Her dedication for bringing stories to life comes through in all her work, however varied it might be. Ker Malkin Gesulga (Producer) is a filmmaker with a BA in Film Production from Central Washington University. He first truly discovered his passion for filmmaking when he moved to the United States at 17 years old. Recognizing that telling intersectional stories is the key to empathy, he delves into projects that portray underrepresented or misrepresented communities. Driven by this passion, he has worked on numerous award-winning narrative and documentary projects that have gained statewide and national recognition from organizations such as WSPRA, NSPRA, the ACM, and his work has also been featured in Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), Oregon Short Film Festival, NBC affiliate King-TV, HBO, and more. He has years of experience working in community media, with several nonprofit organizations, as well as his current role for the state of Washington. His work is rooted in empathy, visual clarity, and a deep belief in the power of representation.

Drew Burghardt is an award-winning filmmaker with a passion for visual storytelling and a sharp eye for detail. He holds a BA in Film Production from Central Washington University, where he honed both his technical craft and creative voice. Over the past seven years, Drew has built a versatile portfolio that spans narrative short films, commercial campaigns, branded content, and social media material. In 2024, Drew earned a Silver Telly Award for his outstanding work behind the camera. That same year, he served as the cinematographer on the short film Hot Off the Hook, an entry in the 2024 48-Hour Film Project which won best Special Effects. Drew thrives in collaborative environments, bringing professionalism, adaptability, and a strong storytelling instinct to each production. Whether working with tight deadlines or large crews, his focus remains the same: crafting images that resonate, reveal character, and drive the story forward.

Meet The Cast & Characters

Lianna Perry Fountain as Britney

Funny, warm, and a bit naive, Britney is the kind of friend who always brings the wine and the gossip. She’s in a seemingly perfect relationship with Brad—until her friends start pointing out the red flags. Caught between loyalty, denial, and self-preservation, Britney carries the emotional arc of the film. Strong comedic timing with the ability to shift into suspense and vulnerability.

Ryan Kennedy as Brad

Charming, courteous, and slightly off. He’s the kind of guy who insists on taking out the trash—but maybe for the wrong reasons. As Britney’s boyfriend and the founder of a mysterious rideshare app, he exudes quiet menace masked by politeness. The role walks the line between boyfriend material and serial killer.

Valeria Hesse as Sarah

Witty, sharp, and suspicious of all men. Sarah is Britney’s friend who isn’t afraid to say what everyone else is thinking—especially if it’s “your boyfriend might be a murderer.” She offers some of the film’s most cutting lines and comedic relief, but also brings real concern and warmth.

Sophie Kashman as Carrie

The mediator friend—earnest, slightly awkward, and well-meaning. She tries to keep the peace between Britney and Sarah but shares the same concerns. Her humor is more subdued, but she grounds the trio with emotional sincerity.

Robyn Jain as Amy

Amy is Britney’s friend who vanishes early in the film. Her brief appearance sets the thriller tone and haunts the rest of the narrative.

With your help, we’ll shoot in late Summer 2025 and premiere at festivals in 2026. If we surpass our funding goal, we’ll expand our reach to even more festivals, improve accessibility (with captions and translations), and fund a small community screening tour to share the film with audiences who might see themselves in it.

This is where you come in. If the story speaks to you, pledge what you can, follow our campaign, and share it with your people. Every post, dollar, and DM helps us get one step closer to yelling "That’s a wrap!"

Let’s make a little trouble together.