Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System

Capturing the urban restlessness and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's bracing drama focuses on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of 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 seeks comfort in the arms of others.

On an night on the town with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Bathed in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their introductory rendezvous is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the clandestine realm of prostitution and narcotics trafficking.

A Portrait of Empathy Instead of Exploitation

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and touching naivety. To his customers, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as adrift individuals hold fast to one another for fleeting joy.

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

A Complicated Relationship of Love and Control

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by envy and financial instability. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the underworld are overshadowed by the anxiety about institutional observation and incarceration, represented by the constant sight of police officers in the area.

Baby is particularly impactful as an astute portrait of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the social system. The film ultimately serves as a moving examination into survival, found community, and the quest for identity within a demanding urban landscape.