The Film Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System

Channelling the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, Marcelo Caetano’s unflinching drama centres on those who exist on the margins of an constantly evolving metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) faces a critical turning point; deserted by his parents, the innocent young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his lively group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Bathed in the flickering glow of a XXX cinema, their first meeting is physical and passionate, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and selling drugs.

A Portrait of Understanding Rather Than Exploitation

The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy rather than as a melodramatic morality play. Now going by the name of Baby, he engages in his paid liaisons with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his clients, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.

In the hectic energy of São Paulo, teeming with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a deep-seated solitude, as rootless people cling on to one another for temporary happiness.

"The city are fraught with peril, yet they are the place where they can find their own family, too."

A Complex Relationship of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their bond is sabotaged by envy and monetary insecurity. Dangers posed by dubious individuals in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the fear of government monitoring and imprisonment, represented by the looming presence of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is especially potent as a perceptive study of the forgotten souls who have been failed by the social system. The film functions as a heartfelt look into making ends meet, non-biological kinship, and the quest for purpose within a demanding urban landscape.