Baby Review: An Astute Portrait of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System

Evoking the urban restlessness and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's unflinching drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an perpetually shifting metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; deserted by his parents, the wide-eyed young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Shrouded in the pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of the sex trade and narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Understanding 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 approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and endearing innocence. To his clients, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, overflowing with crowded backstreets and brightly painted facades, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for temporary happiness.

"The urban landscape might be filled with danger, yet they are where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by envy and financial instability. Dangers posed by dubious individuals in the criminal underworld are overshadowed by the fear of government monitoring and imprisonment, symbolized by the hovering figures of police officers on patrol.

Baby is most powerful as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the system. The film ultimately serves as a poignant exploration into making ends meet, found community, and the pursuit of self within a demanding urban landscape.