Why does the Grand High Witch seem so … familiar?

Just yesterday, I learned a new version of “The Witches” would be released on Oct. 22 on HBO Max. The remake of Roald Dahl’s children’s book stars Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch — the role originally mastered by Anjelica Huston.

In order to prepare for the release, I re-watched the 1990 version on Netflix the same weekend we learned COVID-19 was spreading among prominent members of the GOP, including the president.

Why does this plot seem so … familiar?

The Grand High Witch, arrogant and cruel, barks orders at staff who help cover up her true ugliness with elaborate makeup.

She despises children so much she hatches an evil plan to turn all of them into mice.

But she can’t do it alone.

She gathers all of her witch minions together for a big conference at a seaside hotel, where they simultaneously celebrate her cruelty and plot their next steps.

The Grand High Witch spends much of the movie bullying her terrified witch followers, who respond by fawning, cowering, and calling her “genius one.”

But her dark magic backfires.

As the witches gather together for a grand dinner — prematurely celebrating their devious plot — they become victims of their own magic, as the potion was dumped into the same pot of soup they all share. One by one, the witches spew green smoke as they are transformed into rodents and chased to their deaths by hotel staff.

Can’t wait to see the new version!