🔗 Share this article Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the System Evoking the metropolitan unease and vibrancy of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s unflinching drama zooms in on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; left behind by his parents, the impressionable young man finds solace in the arms of others. On an night on the town with his rowdy group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their initial encounter is sensuous and erotic, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the shadowy world of prostitution and narcotics trafficking. A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now adopting the moniker Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and endearing innocence. To his customers, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness. In the hectic energy of São Paulo, filled with crowded backstreets and vibrant storefronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as rootless people hold fast to one another for temporary happiness. "The city can be filled with danger, yet they are where they can find their own family, too." A Complicated Relationship of Affection and Power Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by envy and economic precarity. Threats from shady figures in the criminal underworld are overshadowed by the anxiety about institutional observation and imprisonment, represented by the hovering figures of police officers in the area. Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the disenfranchised individuals who have fallen through the cracks the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a poignant look into making ends meet, found community, and the quest for purpose within a demanding urban landscape.