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Channelling the city's relentless energy and vibrancy of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's bracing drama zooms in on those who live on the fringes of an constantly evolving metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; abandoned by his parents, the wide-eyed young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his rowdy group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler significantly older than his age. Illuminated by the wavering neon of a neon-lit porn cinema, their introductory rendezvous is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of sex work and selling drugs.

A Portrait of Empathy Rather Than Sensationalism

The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a exploitative warning story. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his clients, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also moments of care.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and colourful shopfronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as unmoored souls hold fast to one another for fleeting joy.

"The city are filled with danger, yet they are where they can find their own family, too."

A Complicated Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by possessiveness and economic precarity. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the dread of government monitoring and jail time, represented by the hovering figures of police officers in the area.

Baby is especially potent as a keen observation of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the social system. The film functions as a moving exploration into making ends meet, found community, and the search for purpose within a demanding urban landscape.