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Evoking the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s gripping drama focuses 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; deserted by his parents, the innocent young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his boisterous group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler significantly older than his age. Shrouded in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their first meeting is sensuous and erotic, with an tinge of peril. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of the sex trade and narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Empathy Rather Than Exploitation

The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a melodramatic morality play. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with swaggering confidence and touching naivety. To his clients, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and brightly painted facades, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as rootless people grasp at one another for temporary happiness.

"The streets might be filled with danger, yet they are also the space where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Relationship of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by envy and financial instability. Threats from dubious individuals in the shadow economy seem minor next to the fear of government monitoring and incarceration, epitomized by the constant sight of police officers on patrol.

Baby is most powerful as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the social system. The film ultimately serves as a heartfelt exploration into resilience, chosen family, and the pursuit of identity within a harsh urban landscape.