The Film Baby Review: A Sharp Portrait of Queer Brazilian Hustlers Lost in the System

Capturing the urban restlessness and vibrancy of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's gripping drama centres on those who live on the fringes 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 wide-eyed young man discovers refuge in the arms of others.

On an evening out with his boisterous group of queer and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (Ricardo Teodoro), a strapping, magnetic hustler over double his age. Illuminated by the pulsating light of a adult movie theater, their introductory rendezvous is sensuous and erotic, with an hint of risk. Ronaldo quickly introduces Wellington to the underground scene of sex work and selling drugs.

A Portrait of Empathy Rather Than Exploitation

The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with compassionate understanding rather than as a sensationalist cautionary tale. Now using the alias Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and poignant gullibility. To his patrons, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, teeming with crowded backstreets and colourful shopfronts, there’s a persistent isolation, as unmoored souls hold fast to one another for temporary happiness.

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

A Complex Dynamic of Love and Control

Ronaldo is at once a romantic interest and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their relationship is derailed by jealousy and monetary insecurity. Intimidation from shady figures in the underworld seem minor next to the anxiety about institutional observation and incarceration, symbolized by the constant sight of police officers in the area.

Baby is most powerful as a keen observation of the forgotten souls who have been failed by the system. The film ultimately serves as a heartfelt exploration into resilience, non-biological kinship, and the quest for purpose within a harsh urban landscape.