Hey Matt

Great first feature length (according to your IMDB page). I'm not in the business but I can tell you what takes me out of films and really leaves them as "low budget" attempts.
Poor audio: too much ambient noise. That first scene hooked me, really well done, but hearing what sounded like traffic obscuring the dialogue almost ruined it.
Flat lighting: Always looks cheap. One of the final scenes when Cody checks James' bedroom looking for him. Just awful. No shadow, no depth. A real home movie look. That's my best example of what I mean about flat.
Your actors performed well, but don't let them give you bad scenes. They all did really good stuff, but there were some odd line deliveries that just weren't in character. Like they were just reading. Make them do it again Matt.

Anyway, I usually don't post about anything serious on this site but I like the film's concept and I hope you continue and get some talented people around you so you can polish your craft.

Good luck.