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Channelling the city's relentless energy and vibrancy of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's gripping drama centres on those who inhabit the outskirts of an constantly evolving metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (the actor João Pedro Mariano) stands at a pivotal juncture; abandoned by his parents, the wide-eyed young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an late-night excursion with his rowdy group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington encounters Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler over double his age. Bathed in the pulsating light of a neon-lit porn cinema, their first meeting is sensuous and erotic, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the shadowy world of prostitution and selling drugs.

A Portrait of Empathy Instead of Sensationalism

The director portrays Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with brash fearlessness and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington offers more than his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and brightly painted facades, there’s a persistent isolation, as adrift individuals grasp at one another for momentary bliss.

"The city are riddled with risk, yet they are also the space where they can find their own family, too."

A Complicated Relationship of Love and Control

Ronaldo is both a lover and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and financial instability. Dangers posed by dubious individuals in the underworld seem minor next to the anxiety about institutional observation and jail time, represented by the looming presence of police officers on patrol.

Baby is especially potent as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film stands as a poignant examination into survival, chosen family, and the pursuit of purpose within a harsh urban landscape.