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Evoking the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s bracing drama zooms in on those who live on the fringes of an ever-changing metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; abandoned by his parents, the wide-eyed young man finds solace 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 pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their first meeting is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the underground scene of prostitution and narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Understanding Instead of Exploitation

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy as opposed to as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with brash fearlessness and touching naivety. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also moments of care.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as adrift individuals hold fast to one another for fleeting joy.

"The streets are riddled with risk, yet they are also the space where they can forge familial bonds, 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 monetary insecurity. Intimidation from nefarious characters in the underworld pale in comparison to the fear of state surveillance and imprisonment, represented by the constant sight of police officers on patrol.

Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the disenfranchised individuals who have slipped through the gaps the social system. The film stands as a moving examination into survival, found community, and the search for identity within a demanding urban landscape.