He is, nonetheless, forced to exit the race after Joe Biden's landslide victory at the 2020 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary.

[2][7] In July 2019, it was announced Pete Buttigieg would appear in a documentary film, with principal photography underway, with Liz Garbus and Dan Cogan set to produce under their Story Syndicate banner.

[14] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 71% based on 49 reviews, with the critics consensus, "Mayor Pete may not pull back the curtain on its subject's deepest inner self, but it remains a compelling portrait of a candidate on the campaign trail.

"[15] David Rooney, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, said that "[the] sense of a political future in large part yet to be written places a slight limitation on Buttigieg as a documentary subject, as does his generally subdued manner", adding that "it perhaps would have been useful to include a taste of his dynamic post-campaign appearances on Fox News, eviscerating obtuse GOP mouthpieces without ever raising his voice or losing his cool", and concluded that "it does have the benefit of showing a man who seems destined to remain a force in American politics, growing into the role in real time.

"[16] Elizabeth Weitzman of TheWrap called the film "a doggedly traditional behind-the-scenes glimpse at a solemnly earnest political candidate," adding that it is "an enjoyable ride with intermittently compelling moments.

"[17] David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote that the film "is at its most absorbing during the rare moments when it hones in on what Buttigieg's accomplishment required of him, and what it might possibly mean for others like him.