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Capturing the metropolitan unease and vibrancy of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s gripping drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an evening out with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler more than twice his age. Illuminated by the wavering neon of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an tinge of peril. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and selling drugs.

A Study of Understanding Rather Than Sensationalism

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also moments of care.

In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, filled with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for fleeting joy.

"The urban landscape might be fraught with peril, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."

A Complicated Dynamic of Love and Control

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Intimidation from dubious individuals in the shadow economy are overshadowed by the fear of government monitoring and imprisonment, represented by the looming presence of police officers on patrol.

Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a moving exploration into making ends meet, found community, and the quest for identity within a demanding urban landscape.