He created the kaleidoscopic political short films "Collision" (2005) and "Spin" (2010), abstract stop motion works "Shift" (2012) and "AANAATT" (2008), and psychedelic animation loops "Sync", "1923 aka Heaven" and "1925 aka Hell" (2010).

He is the son of Hellmut Hattler, a German bass player mainly known for his Krautrock band Kraan.

[2] He is an associate professor at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong.

[3] Hattler's work has been described in the following terms: "Max Hattler works on the thin line between abstraction and figuration, being able sometimes to create powerful political statements while eschewing the traditional constraints of narrative, choosing a poetics of implication over the mere construction of a discourse.

"[4] Hattler has exhibited internationally at museums and galleries including Erarta,[5] Tate Britain,[6] Pinakothek der Moderne,[7] Tenderpixel[8] (London), Lumen Eclipse[9] (Cambridge, Massachusetts), MoCA Taipei, Exploratorium, Gasworks Gallery,[10] Art Below, Fries Museum,[11] Yota Space[12] and Museumsquartier Vienna.