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Channelling the city's relentless energy and vibrancy of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's gripping drama focuses on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) faces a critical turning point; deserted by his parents, the impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an night on the town with his boisterous group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler significantly older than his age. Illuminated by the flickering glow of a XXX cinema, their initial encounter is intimate and charged, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Empathy Rather Than Exploitation

The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, teeming with crowded backstreets and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for fleeting joy.

"The streets are riddled with risk, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."

A Complicated Relationship of Love and Control

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by envy and monetary insecurity. Threats from nefarious characters in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the anxiety about government monitoring and incarceration, symbolized by the looming presence of police officers in the area.

Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a heartfelt look into resilience, found community, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.