Baby Review: A Sharp Depiction of LGBTQ+ Brazilian Survivors Lost in the Established Order

Capturing the metropolitan unease and pulsating life of São Paulo, director Marcelo Caetano's bracing 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) faces a critical turning point; left behind by his parents, the wide-eyed young man finds solace in the arms of others.

On an night on the town with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a muscular, charming hustler more than twice his age. Bathed in the wavering neon of a adult movie theater, their introductory rendezvous is sensuous and erotic, with an tinge of peril. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the underground scene of the sex trade and drug dealing.

A Study of Understanding Instead of Sensationalism

Caetano depicts Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he approaches his transactional encounters with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington lends not only his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the electrifying chaos of São Paulo, overflowing with bustling alleyways and vibrant storefronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as unmoored souls cling on to one another for temporary happiness.

"The streets can be fraught with peril, yet they are where they can forge familial bonds, too."

A Complex Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is simultaneously a partner and a guardian-like mentor to Wellington, but their connection is thrown off course by possessiveness and financial instability. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the shadow economy pale in comparison to the dread of government monitoring and jail time, represented by the hovering figures of police officers making their rounds.

Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the disenfranchised individuals who have been failed by the social system. The film functions as a heartfelt look into resilience, found community, and the quest for identity within a harsh urban landscape.