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

Capturing the city's relentless energy and pulsating life of São Paulo, filmmaker Caetano's bracing drama focuses on those who live on the fringes of an constantly evolving metropolis. Recently released from juvenile prison, 18-year-old Wellington (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 late-night excursion with his rowdy group of gay and non-binary friends, Wellington meets Ronaldo (actor Ricardo Teodoro), a hunky, charismatic hustler more than twice his age. Bathed in the flickering glow of a adult movie theater, their first meeting is physical and passionate, with an edge of danger. Ronaldo swiftly initiates Wellington to the underground scene of the sex trade and drug dealing.

A Study of Empathy Rather Than Sensationalism

The film illustrates Wellington’s new life of crime with gentle sympathy instead of as a exploitative warning story. Now going by the name of Baby, he enters his commercial trysts with cocky bravado and endearing innocence. To his customers, Wellington provides not just his youth and his body, but also instances of tenderness.

In the feverish excitement of São Paulo, overflowing with busy lanes and vibrant storefronts, there’s a gnawing loneliness, as unmoored souls grasp at one another for temporary happiness.

"The city might be fraught with peril, yet they are the place where they can discover chosen kin, too."

A Complicated Dynamic of Affection and Power

Ronaldo is both a lover and a protective father figure to Wellington, but their connection is thrown off course by possessiveness and monetary insecurity. Dangers posed by nefarious characters in the criminal underworld seem minor next to the anxiety about government monitoring and incarceration, symbolized by the constant sight of police officers on patrol.

Baby is particularly impactful as a keen observation of the lost people who have slipped through the gaps the established structure. The film ultimately serves as a poignant exploration into resilience, found community, and the pursuit of self within a harsh urban landscape.