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Channelling the city's relentless energy and pulsating life of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s bracing drama centres on those who exist on the margins 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 wide-eyed young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an night on the town with his boisterous group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler significantly older than his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is intimate and charged, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of prostitution and drug dealing.

A Study of Empathy Rather Than Sensationalism

The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, teeming with crowded backstreets and vibrant storefronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as rootless people cling on to one another for fleeting joy.

"The streets are filled with danger, yet they are where they can discover chosen kin, too."

A Complicated Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by jealousy and monetary insecurity. Threats from shady figures in the shadow economy seem minor next to the dread of government monitoring and imprisonment, represented by the hovering figures of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the lost people who have fallen through the cracks the system. The film functions as a moving examination into resilience, found community, and the pursuit of identity within a demanding urban landscape.