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Channelling the urban restlessness and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's unflinching drama focuses on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Fresh out of juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; abandoned by his parents, the impressionable young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an evening out with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their initial encounter is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo promptly ushers Wellington to the underground scene of prostitution and drug dealing.

A Portrait of Understanding Instead of Sensationalism

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy as opposed to as a exploitative warning story. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his customers, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, filled with crowded backstreets and brightly painted facades, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for fleeting joy.

"The streets are filled with danger, yet they are also the space where they can discover chosen kin, 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 envy and financial instability. Threats from nefarious characters in the criminal underworld pale in comparison to the anxiety about government monitoring and jail time, symbolized by the hovering figures of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is especially potent as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the social system. The film stands as a heartfelt exploration into making ends meet, found community, and the pursuit of self within a harsh urban landscape.