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Channelling the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's bracing drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an ever-changing metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (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 gay and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler more than twice his age. Shrouded in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the underground scene of the sex trade and drug dealing.

A Study of Empathy Instead of Exploitation

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his clients, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with crowded backstreets and brightly painted facades, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for fleeting joy.

"The city can be riddled with risk, yet they are where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Relationship of Love and Control

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by envy and financial instability. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the anxiety about state surveillance and imprisonment, symbolized by the looming presence of police officers on patrol.

Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the lost people who have been failed by the system. The film functions as a heartfelt exploration into survival, found community, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.