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Channelling the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's unflinching drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; left behind by his parents, the innocent young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.

On an evening out with his lively group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a XXX cinema, their introductory rendezvous is intimate and charged, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of sex work and selling drugs.

A Study of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness and touching naivety. To his customers, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.

In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as rootless people cling on to one another for momentary bliss.

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

A Complex Relationship of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is both a lover and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Threats from shady figures in the criminal underworld are overshadowed by the anxiety about government monitoring and imprisonment, epitomized by the looming presence of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film stands as a heartfelt look into resilience, found community, and the pursuit of purpose within a unforgiving urban landscape.