Kate Beckinsale leads *Drifter* action thriller cast.

Kate Beckinsale, Dermot Mulroney, Robert Knepper and rapper Sticky Fingaz are in Cleveland filming the action thriller “Drifter,” a mid-budget indie that shifts Beckinsale from gothic horror to gritty crime drama. Randall Emmett, known for “Lone Survivor” and “13 Hours,” directs the shoot, which is using locations across Northeast Ohio through October. The cast also includes Bill Sage, Beau Bommarito, Ema Horvath, Maia Kai and entrepreneur John Cerasani. Industry trackers say the project is Emmett’s attempt to carve out a more serious niche after a run of studio-style shoot-’em-ups.

Emmett’s Millennium Films has spent years chasing prestige-leaning action films that can still deliver commercial returns. “Drifter” follows his recent pivot to darker material, including the Liam Hemsworth-led “The Expatriates” and the upcoming Liam Neeson thriller “Retribution.” Beckinsale’s participation signals a deliberate move away from her decade-long association with vampire franchises, signaling a bid to reinvent her screen persona. Northeast Ohio’s film tax credits and varied urban backdrops have made it a magnet for productions seeking lower costs and authentic settings.

Production reports from Cleveland indicate night shoots on St. Clair Avenue and crane shots downtown, with local crew hire running above 80%. Sticky Fingaz, best known for his work with Onyx and the TV series “Over There,” brings a hip-hop energy to the ensemble; his casting underscores Emmett’s push to blend street cred with A-list star power. Sources close to the set say the script is a cross between “John Wick” and “The Fugitive,” with Beckinsale playing a former undercover agent framed for murder and forced to drift between safe houses while clearing her name.

If the shoot stays on schedule, “Drifter” could hit festivals in mid-2025 and land a streaming deal, giving Emmett a shot at recouping costs without the overhead of a full studio release. The film’s modest budget—reportedly under $20 million—positions it as a test case for whether mid-tier action can still break out in a crowded market dominated by Marvel and DC. A strong reception would likely prompt more A-list actors to reconsider roles in Emmett’s smaller-scale projects, while a stumble could push him further toward the safety of franchise work.