Netflix: “Glass Onion” starring Daniel Craig

Full disclosure: murder mysteries were never my thing. Nor, for that matter, were films jam-packed with Hollywood stars. But never say never. Because I was pleasantly amused by “Glass Onion,” the movie that seems to be garnering thumbs up from everyone from Rotten Tomatoes critics to ordinary Joe Cyclists like me.

The plot of “GO” is dumb-dumb simple: Tech billionaire Miles Braun (Edward Norton) has invited several of his closest friends for a weekend on his private Greek island. It’s a motley crew consisting of Claire, a political candidate (Kathryn Hegel); Lionel, a scientist (Leslie Odom Jr); Duke (Dave Bautista, a massive, tatted WWE type) and his GF Whiskey (Madelyn Cline); a ditsy actress, Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson ) and her assistant (Jessica Henwick).

Whom Miles didn’t count on arriving was his ex-GF and estranged business partner Andi Brand (the stunning Janelle Monae). Nor did he foresee the arrival of detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, from “Knives Out”, once again speaking with a Southern accent).

On evening one, Miles entices his guests to play a party game in which he will be “murdered,” but Benoit spoils the fun, deducing exactly how the act will occur. Damn him. Now what?

Not to worry, because a real murder is then committed and Benoit is on the case. This leads him (and us) down a rather complicated path involving the Mona Lisa, several crossbows, a dome on the roof that resembles a glass onion, and a final scene that will shatter you (sssh, no spoilers.)

PS if my earlier mention of A-List celebrities in “GO” didn’t excite you, please be advised that Stephen Sondheim, Yo-Yo Ma, Ethan Hawke, and Hugh Grant, among others, also make cameo appearances throughout the movie. Even Serena Williams shows up, leading virtual workouts from a TV screen in the estate’s gym.

Sometimes you just gotta smile at a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, or that isn’t jockeying for a Palme D’Or. And that’s exactly the kind of movie “Glass Onion“ is, nothing less nothing more. Enjoy! And save “The Passion of Anna” for the IFC.