Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Adrift in the System
Channelling the city's relentless energy and dynamic spirit of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's unflinching drama focuses on those who live on the fringes of an ever-changing metropolis. Newly freed from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (João Pedro Mariano) finds himself at a crossroads; deserted by his parents, the impressionable young man seeks comfort in the arms of others.
On an night on the town with his boisterous group of LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming friends, Wellington crosses paths with Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler over double his age. Illuminated by the flickering glow of a adult movie theater, their first meeting is physical and passionate, with an tinge of peril. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the shadowy world of the sex trade and narcotics trafficking.
A Portrait of Understanding Instead of Exploitation
The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with tender empathy rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also fleeting acts of kindness.
In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, filled with crowded backstreets and vibrant storefronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as adrift individuals cling on to one another for fleeting joy.
"The streets are filled with danger, yet they are where they can discover chosen kin, too."
A Complicated Dynamic of Love and Control
Ronaldo is both a lover and a sheltering paternal presence to Wellington, but their connection is thrown off course by jealousy and monetary insecurity. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the criminal underworld pale in comparison to the anxiety about state surveillance and jail time, represented by the hovering figures of police officers on patrol.
Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the system. The film ultimately serves as a heartfelt look into resilience, non-biological kinship, and the pursuit of self within a demanding urban landscape.
