The movie s gender issue is an important issue. Had any of the roles and sexes been switched, it would have been a different movie. If Amelia had been a male, or if Chaney was a female, the movie would have differed greatly. Switching sexes would mean making a new movie. That s why gender was so important in this movie.
Gender is also important in any mystery.
Most old mysteries show the main character, or the person who solves the mystery, as a male. Some more modern mysteries display women in this role. What gender this role is makes a difference in how the case is solved. Women in this role tend to use their own sixth sense or feelings and behaviors of others on trying to solve a case. Men use the straightforward facts.